Arc Human Rights

UN Minority Forum: Ehsan Hosseinzadeh on Discrimination Against Azerbaijanis of Iran and the Erasure of Their Culture in Public Spaces

Statement of Ehsan Hosseinzadeh 
For the 17th Session of the UN Minority Forum

Due to the assimilation policy of the Islamic Republic, presence of Azerbaijanis of Iran in public space has been faded. The Islamic Republic has taken an assimilation policy with regards to all ethnic minorities specifically towards Azerbaijanis to achieve “one language, one nation” policy. This discriminatory policy has led to disappearance of Azerbaijani’s presence in public places;

here are some examples:
• The Turkish name of streets and cities in different provinces of Azerbaijan have been forcefully changed by the authorities to eradicate any trace of Azerbaijani culture in the region.
• Historical monuments in Azerbaijan have been intentionally either destructed or mismanaged which has led to their destruction.
• Azerbaijanis’ cultural symbols have no place neither in educational system at schools nor in national calendars.
• The only official language in Iran is Persian and this discriminatory policy have deprived millions of non-Persian speakers to use their own language before public offices and administrations. 
• Showing and emphasizing on Azerbaijanis culture in Iran can led to criminal accusations by the judiciary of Iran under pretext of acting against national security and belonging to separatists’ movements. 
• Public policies in cities of Azerbaijan region mostly put in place by non-Azerbaijani governors appointed by central government who do not seek the cultural interests of the people.
• Participation of the people of Azerbaijan in decision making process has completely disturbed by the Guardian Council which systematically reject candidacy of thousands of political actors who want to present themselves at the city council’s election in hundreds of cities in Azerbaijan region.