ArcDH urges UN to address discrimination and racism against Azerbaijanis of Iran

At the 57th regular session of the Human Rights Council,
on 4 October 2024, the Arc Association for the Defence of Human Rights of Azerbaijanis of Iran (ArcDH) gave a speech focusing on the systemic racism and discrimination faced by the Azerbaijani in Iran. In a detailed statement during the general debate on racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia, and related forms of intolerance, ArcDH drew attention to Iranian policies that marginalize minority nation groups and erase their cultural identities.

ArcDH pointed out that, unlike the 2001 Durban Declaration, which focused on protecting victims of racism, Iran’s racial policies obscure the existence of minority nations that make up two-thirds of the population. These policies promote a “One Language, One Nation” ideology that replaces minority nation identities with a homogenized Iranian identity, leading to the suppression of cultural diversity.

The devastating impact of this normalized racism has transformed Azerbaijani nation provinces as “islands of dystopia,” with several critical issues highlighted:

•⁠ Arbitrary Detention of Azerbaijani Civil Activists: . On average, around 30 activists are held at any given time. Currently, a dozen activists, including Murtuza Pervin and Tahir Naqavi, are being held indefinitely in Evin prison under accusations of espionage.

•⁠ Economic and Social Deprivation: The lack of investment in Azerbaijani regions has led to the collapse of vital infrastructure, including healthcare, education, housing, and utilities. Water sources are contaminated, and communities are deprived of basic services, leading to a rise in unemployment and poverty.

•⁠ Environmental Crisis: Environmental degradation has ravaged the region, with Lake Urmia having dried up, aquifers depleting, and quarries turning into wastelands. Water bodies are severely contaminated, exacerbating the crisis.

ArcDH concluded its address by urging the United Nations to take immediate action in monitoring the systemic racism and the resulting human rights abuses affecting Azerbaijanis and other minority nations in Iran. The organization emphasized the urgency of protecting these vulnerable populations from further marginalization and called for international intervention.

ArcDH continues its mission to advocate for the rights of the Azerbaijanis in Iran, calling attention to the discriminatory policies that threaten their cultural identity and well-being