Hussain Hazbavi 
The death of 27-year-old Ahwazi worker Alireza Janami inside an oil drilling site in Hor al-Falahiyah has sparked outrage and raised serious concerns over the conditions faced by local laborers in oil projects imposed by the Iranian authorities.
According to local sources, Janami was working under extremely hazardous circumstances, with no basic safety protections. Instead of accepting responsibility, the authorities claimed his death was caused by “sunlight and high temperatures” a statement widely seen as an attempt to cover up negligence and avoid accountability.
Hor al-Falahiyah, once a unique ecological treasure, is increasingly being turned into a site of both human and environmental violations. Oil exploration in the marsh not only endangers the lives of Ahwazi workers but is also systematically destroying the wetlands that provide a vital lifeline to the region’s inhabitants.
Forced Displacement in Surrounding Villages
Beyond environmental destruction, reports also point to a policy of forced displacement targeting Ahwazi villagers around Hor al-Falahiyah. Communities have been pressured to leave through economic marginalization, lack of infrastructure, and the transformation of their lands into military zones or oil projects.
Observers warn that this strategy forms part of a broader plan to alter the demographic composition of Ahwaz, echoing violations of international law, including:
Article 49 of the Fourth Geneva Convention, prohibiting the transfer of populations into occupied territories. Article 7(d) of the Rome Statute, which classifies forced displacement on ethnic or national grounds as a crime against humanity.
Calls for International Action
Human rights organizations, including the Alahwazi Organization for Human Rights, are demanding:
An independent investigation into the death of Alireza Janami. Suspension of oil exploration in Hor al-Falahiyah until workers’ rights and environmental protections are ensured. A United Nations fact-finding mission to investigate demographic changes and forced displacement in Ahwaz.
The situation in Hor al-Falahiyah adds to the long list of systematic violations against the Ahwazi people, underscoring urgent calls for the international community to intervene and prevent further humanitarian and environmental catastrophes.
