Arcdh Arc – Association for Human Rights of Azerbaijanis of Iran "ArcDH"
On November 28, 2024, the United Nations Minorities Forum highlighted The European Platform for the Human Rights of Iranian Azerbaijanis; Systemic discrimination against minority nations, as well as women and children in Islamic Republic of Iran, has rendered these groups particularly vulnerable.
They are systematically excluded from state media, educational curricula, and textbooks, leading to serious and long-lasting societal consequences.
This systemic discrimination manifests in various forms. For instance, the Azerbaijani language is subjected to severe restrictions in both media and education. Additionally, the promotion of harmful practices such as child marriage through state-sponsored media has exacerbated their prevalence in Azerbaijan’s provinces.
Discriminatory policies significantly undermine legal equality and cultural diversity in Iran, particularly impacting children from minority communities.
Hostility toward linguistic, cultural, and minority nations diversity exposes younger generations to identity crises and social marginalization.
During the 113th session of the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD), representatives of the Islamic Republic of Iran acknowledged the lack of effective deterrent laws against racism and committed to developing such legislation.
However, reports from the Ark Association indicate that no tangible or practical measures have been taken to address this issue, particularly regarding discrimination against Azerbaijanis and other minority communities.
The European Platform for the Human Rights of Iranian Azerbaijanis recommends that the United Nations monitor and thoroughly evaluate the Islamic Republic of Iran’s compliance with international anti-discrimination treaties and ensure the effective protection of the rights of Azerbaijanis and other national minorities in Iran.