28.05.2008 - Source: Amnesty International

Hundreds of Azeri activists were arrested in connection with a peaceful demonstration on International Mother Language Day, 21 February 2007 ("Annual Report 2008") [ID 23408]

"Hundreds of Iranian Azerbaijani activists were arrested in connection with a peaceful demonstration on International Mother Language Day, 21 February. The demonstrators called for their own language to be used in schools and other education institutions in the areas of north-west Iran where most Iranian Azerbaijanis reside."

Document(s): Open document

11.03.2008 - Source: US Department of State

Discrimination against Azeris ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2007") [ID 23199]

"In general the government did not discriminate on the basis of race, disability, or social status; however, it did discriminate on the basis of religion, gender, and ethnicity. It consistently denied minorities their constitutional right to study and use their language in schools, particularly Kurds, Azeris, and Ahvazi Arabs. [...]"

Document(s): Open document

11.03.2008 - Source: US Department of State

Despite equality under public law minority groups are not always allowed to use their respective language in schools ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2007") [ID 23322]

"The constitution grants equal rights to all ethnic minorities and allows for minority languages to be used in the media and schools. [...]

In practice, however, the government did not always permit minority groups, such as Azeris, Kurds, and Ahvazi Arabs, to use their respective languages in schools."

Document(s): Open document

11.03.2008 - Source: US Department of State

Azeris complain of ethnic and linguistic discrimination; 4 people killed in May 2006 during protests following the publication of a newspaper cartoon considered insulting to Azeris ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2007") [ID 23330]

"Ethnic Azeris composed approximately one-quarter of the country's population, were well integrated into the government and society and included the supreme leader. However, Azeris complained of ethnic and linguistic discrimination, including banning the Azeri language in schools, harassing Azeri activists or organizers, and changing Azeri geographic names.

The government traditionally viewed Azeri nationalism as threatening, particularly since the dissolution of the Soviet Union and the creation of an independent Azerbaijan.

Azeri groups also claimed that there were a number of Azeri political prisoners jailed for advocating cultural and language rights for Iranian Azerbaijanis. The government has charged several of them with "revolting against the Islamic state."

In May 2006 there were large-scale riots in the Azeri majority regions of the northwest following publication of a newspaper cartoon considered insulting to Azeris. The cartoon depicted a cockroach speaking in the Azeri language. Police forcibly contained the protests, and police officials reported that four persons were killed and several protesters were detained. [...]"

Document(s): Open document

06.03.2007 - Source: US Department of State

Naqaba: Demonstrations by the Azeri minority after publication of an offensive cartoon; 4 Azeris killed and 43 injured by the police ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2006") [ID 19339]

"The government responded forcibly to weeks of demonstrations by members of the ethnic Azeri minority, which protested a May 19 newspaper cartoon viewed as offensive to the Azeri population. The government initially denied any protesters were killed, but on May 28 a police official acknowledged that four were killed and 43 injured in the northwestern town of Naqaba."

Document(s): Open document

06.03.2007 - Source: US Department of State

Saleh Kamrani, an Azeri human rights lawyer detained without a charge; later charged with "propaganda" ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2006") [ID 19538]

"On June 14, human rights lawyer Saleh Kamrani, a member of the country's Azeri ethnic minority, was detained without charge and taken into government custody (see section 1.e). Charged with "propaganda against the system," according to AI, he was tried on September 13 and sentenced to one year's imprisonment. The sentence was suspended for five years, and he was released on September 18."

Document(s): Open document

06.03.2007 - Source: US Department of State

At least 9 Azeris arrested following demonstrations ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2006") [ID 19539]

"In September according to AI, at least nine Azeri Iranians were arrested following demonstrations calling for a school boycott in the Northwest. Azeri Iranians were protesting for their constitutional right to use the Azeri language in schools (see section 5)."

Document(s): Open document

06.03.2007 - Source: US Department of State

Ethnic Azeri activist Abbas Lisani arrested following a demonstration; he later received a one-year-prison sentence for "spreading anti-government propaganda" ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2006") [ID 20028]

"On June 3, according to Azerbaijani press reports, ethnic Azeri activist Abbas Lisani was arrested following a protest demonstration. Lisani was reportedly charged with "holding rallies against the state system." He was reportedly released on September 26 but re-arrested on November 1. Lisani received a one-year prison sentence for "spreading antigovernment propaganda" and at year's end was in prison in the northwestern province of Ardabil."

Document(s): Open document

06.03.2007 - Source: US Department of State

Azeri human rights lawyer Saleh Kamrani was taken to Evin prison for 3 months and held without charge ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2006") [ID 20030]

"On June 14, the government detained Azeri-Iranian human rights lawyer Saleh Kamrani without charge. Kamrani reportedly defended several individuals, including ethnic Azeri activist Abbas Lisani, who were arrested during the May demonstrations in the ethnic-Azeri majority region of the Northwest (see section 1.a.). Kamrani's family received no information on his whereabouts for several days but later learned that he was detained in Evin Prison. Kamrani was released from Evin on September 18, according to AI."

Document(s): Open document

04.03.2007 - Source: Minority Rights Group International

Annual report on current situation of Azeris ("State of the World's Minorities 2007") [ID 22399]

"Azeris form the largest ethnic minority in Iran at about 25 per cent. These Turkic-speaking Shias live concentrated along the border with Azerbaijan in the north-west of the country and in the capital Tehran. They are relatively well integrated into Iranian society, and Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei is ethnic Azeri.

Nonetheless tensions became evident in May 2006 when thousands of Azeris protested in north-west Iran following publication in a government newspaper of a cartoon insulting to Azeris. Government security forces fired on the protesters, killing five and injuring dozens."

Document(s): Open document

23.05.2006 - Source: Amnesty International

Several ethnic Azeris arrested after a cultural event in Kalayber in June 2005; 21 Azeris sentenced to prison terms ("Annual Report 2006") [ID 18824]

"At the end of June, scores of ethnic Azeris participating in an annual cultural gathering at Babek Castle in Kalayber were arrested. At least 21 were later sentenced to prison terms of between three months and one year, some of which were suspended. Some were also banned from entering Kalayber for 10 years.

Abbas Lisani, an Azeri butcher, was arrested during the Babek Castle event. He was released on bail in July and was sentenced in August to one year’s imprisonment to be spent in internal exile after conviction of “spreading propaganda” and “disturbing public opinion”. He was believed to have appealed against his sentence."

Document(s): Open document

08.03.2006 - Source: US Department of State

Journalist and activist for Azeri rights disappeared and later found stabbed ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2005") [#46058],  [ID 18360]

"According to Internet press reports, Massoumeh Babapour, a journalist for Tabriz newspapers and activist for Azeri rights, disappeared on October 3. She was found stabbed nine times, but still alive. According to her husband, she had received death threats calling her an atheist and claiming religious authorities passed a death sentence on her. At year's end there was no information regarding the perpetrators."

Document(s): Open document

24.08.2005 - Source: Amnesty International

Muslim cleric reportedly arrested on 5 August and is believed to be held in prison in Tabriz, where he may be at risk of torture or ill-treatment; there are concerns that he may be held solely on account of non-violent expression of his ethnic and cultural identity ("Iran - UA 219/05") [#35913],  [ID 8777]

Document(s): Open document
Open document

08.2005 - Source: Freedom House

Religious minorities ("Freedom in the World 2005") [#41317],  [ID 8778]

"[...]There are few laws that discriminate against ethnic minorities, who are permitted to establish community centers and certain cultural, social, sports, and charitable associations. However, Kurdish demands for more autonomy and a greater voice in the appointment of a regional governor have not been met, and some Kurdish opposition groups are brutally suppressed. The opposition Democratic Party of Iranian Kurdistan (KDPI) alleged that two of its members were executed in December 2003. In June 2004, security forces reportedly arrested 80 ethnic Azeris for allegedly “spreading secessionist propaganda.”[...]"

Document(s): Open document

28.02.2005 - Source: US Department of State

Discrimination of Azeris ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2004") [#29525],  [ID 8779]

"[...]Azeris comprise approximately one-quarter of the country's population and are well integrated into the Government and society. However, Azeris complained of ethnic and linguistic discrimination, including banning the Azeri language in schools, harassing Azeri activists or organizers, and changing Azeri geographic names. The Government traditionally viewed Azeri nationalism as threatening, particularly since the dissolution of the Soviet Union and the creation of an independent Azerbaijan. Azeri groups also claimed that there were a number of Azeri political prisoners jailed for advocating cultural and language rights for Iranian Azerbaijanis. The Government has charged several of them with "revolting against the Islamic state." [...]"

Document(s): Open document

28.02.2005 - Source: US Department of State

Discrimination of ethnic minorities ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2004") [#29525],  [ID 8780]

"[...]In general, the Government did not discriminate on the basis of race, disability, language, or social status; however, it discriminated on the basis of religion, sex, and ethnicity. The poorest areas of the country are those inhabited by ethnic minorities, such as by the Baluchis in Sistan and Baluchestan Province, and by Arabs in the southwest. Much of the damage suffered by Khuzistan Province during the 8-year Iran-Iraq war has not been repaired; consequently, the quality of life of the largely Arab local population was degraded. Kurds, Azeris, and Ahvazi Arabs were not allowed to study their languages. [...]"

Document(s): Open document

28.02.2005 - Source: US Department of State

Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2004 ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2004") [#29525],  [ID 8781]

"[...]In June, security forces reportedly arrested more than 100 ethnic Azeris for "spreading secessionist propaganda" during a holiday gathering of thousands of Azeri-Iranians in East Azerbaijan Province. [...]"

Document(s): Open document

15.10.2003 - Source: International Crisis Group

15.10.2003 - ICG: Little support in Iran for newly formed organisation due to its separatist agenda ("Iran: Discontent and Disarray") [#16759],  [ID 8782]

"The newly formed Southern Azerbaijan National Awakeness Movement (SANAM) likewise enjoys little support or legitimacy in Iran, due to its separatist agenda. Confirmed reports that U.S. government officials have quietly been meeting with the head of SANAM, Ali Chehregani, a secessionist activist from Iranian Azerbaijan who lives in exile in Washington, were received with dismay among Iran’s intellectual and political elite, including many Iranian-Azeris. Typical was the reaction of an Iranian-Azeri professional: “We are Iranians, 100 per cent. Why would we want to separate? We’ve been here for 1,000 years”."

Document(s): Open document

10.2002 - Source: UK Home Office

10/2002 - UK Home Office: Azeris are the largest minority group composing between one quarter and one third of Iran's population ("Country Assessment - October 2002") [#9556],  [ID 8785]

"5.116. Iranian Azeris are not targeted as a group and not persecuted unless they are involved in some general opposition-related activities. The Azerbaijanis, also known as the Azeris, are the largest minority in Iran composing between one quarter and one third of Iran's population (estimates vary because the Iranian census does not count Azeris specifically). They are Shi'i Muslims and in most respects similar to the rest of the Iranian population. Many prominent Iranian Shi'i clerics have been and are Azeris. The one factor that differentiates them from the rest of the Iranian population is that their native language is Azeri Turkish. They live in the northwestern provinces of East and West Azerbaijan as well as in Tehran and scattered communities in between these provinces and Tehran.

5.117. For a brief period after the revolution, the Azeri language press flourished. Also, with Soviet encouragement and support, Azeri nationalism and the desire for autonomy began to resurge. However, the Iranian government considered this nationalism to be the result of Soviet interference in Iranian affairs and began to repress this resurgent nationalism in the early 1980s. After 1981, there were few reports of disturbances and by 1984, only one of the many Azeri language publications remained. The Azeris, as of the late 1980s, have participated in the Iranian government at a national level as much as any other group, including ethnic Iranians, up to the highest levels of government.

5.118. The Azeris have no illegal or legal political parties or organizations. As has been the case since the mid-1980s, the Azeris have not had to deal with much repression or discrimination. The Iranian government prefers to emphasize the cultural similarities between the Persian speaking majority of Iran and the Azeris. The only repression or discrimination that occurred since the revolution has been immediately after the revolution in order to repress the stirring Azeri nationalism and demands for autonomy."

Document(s): Open document

09.2002 - Source:

University of Maryland - Minorities at Risk: Risk Assessment ("00.09.2002 - University of Maryland - Minorities at Risk: Risk Assessment") [ID 8783]

"By most accounts, it appears that Azeris in Iran that are content to be a part of the Iranian state are not at risk of explicit political, cultural, or economic discrimination. They have not recently dealt with severe governmental repression, although reports sometimes come out of the region which cite a severe response to protests that cannot be independently confirmed (PROT00 = 0; REB00 = 0), or the case of Mahmoud Ali Chehregani, an advocate of the rights of the Azeri minority, who in 2000 was prevented from registering as a candidate for an election in Tabriz by being detained by local police until after the registration deadline had passed. In general however, the Iranian government has preferred to emphasize the cultural similarities between the Persian speaking majority of Iran and the Azeris. A potential pitfall to the relatively stable condition of Azeris in Iran may indeed come from the ideological support they receive from non-governmental organizations and the government of Azerbaijan (ISPOLK/ ISPOLP=1). Thus, the direction which Iranian-Azerbajaini relations take at the state level will likely have a great impact on the future condition of Iran’s Azeris."

Document(s): 00.09.2002 - University of Maryland - Minorities at Risk: Risk Assessment

09.2002 - Source:

University of Maryland - Minorities at Risk: Background Information ("00.09.2002 - University of Maryland - Minorities at Risk: Background Information") [ID 8784]

"The Azerbaijanis (also known as Azeris) compose about a quarter of Iran’s population, and are the largest minority in Iran. They are Shi'i Muslims by faith (CULDIFX4 = 0), and in many respects are similar to the rest of the Iranian population (CULDIFXX = 2). Many prominent Iranian Shi'i clerics have been and are Azeris. The main factors that differentiate them from the rest of the Iranian population are their Azerbaijani ethnicity (CULDIFX1 = 2), and their native language of Azeri Turkish (CULDIFX2 = 2). The Azeris live principally in the northwestern Iranian provinces of East/West Azerbaijan as well as in urban centers such as Tehran (GROUPCON = 3).
The Azeris of Iran have not been historically autonomous (AUTON = 0), although in 1945, the Democratic Party of Azerbaijan declared the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic, which only lasted for a year following Soviet withdrawal (AUTLOST = 3). Following a brief revival of Azeri nationalism after the 1979 Iranian Revolution, the central authorities severely restricted the publishing of Azeri material, the instruction of Azeri Turkish, and the open organization of Azeri cultural groups—these restrictions remain in place to date (CULPO200 = 2; CULPO300 = 2; CULPO700 = 2). However, the Azeris do participate in the Iranian government at the highest national levels as much as any other group, including ethnic Iranians, and are only moderately restricted within the civil service or attainment of office (POLIC7/8 = 1) in that they cannot openly pursue the promotion of the Azeri language or nationality."

Document(s): 00.09.2002 - University of Maryland - Minorities at Risk: Background Information

09.2002 - Source:

University of Maryland - Minorities at Risk: Risk Assessment ("00.09.2002 - University of Maryland - Minorities at Risk: Risk Assessment") [ID 8786]

"By most accounts, it appears that Azeris in Iran that are content to be a part of the Iranian state are not at risk of explicit political, cultural, or economic discrimination. They have not recently dealt with severe governmental repression, although reports sometimes come out of the region which cite a severe response to protests that cannot be independently confirmed (PROT00 = 0; REB00 = 0), or the case of Mahmoud Ali Chehregani, an advocate of the rights of the Azeri minority, who in 2000 was prevented from registering as a candidate for an election in Tabriz by being detained by local police until after the registration deadline had passed. In general however, the Iranian government has preferred to emphasize the cultural similarities between the Persian speaking majority of Iran and the Azeris. A potential pitfall to the relatively stable condition of Azeris in Iran may indeed come from the ideological support they receive from non-governmental organizations and the government of Azerbaijan (ISPOLK/ ISPOLP=1). Thus, the direction which Iranian-Azerbajaini relations take at the state level will likely have a great impact on the future condition of Iran’s Azeris."

Document(s): 00.09.2002 - University of Maryland - Minorities at Risk: Risk Assessment

04.03.2002 - Source: US Department of State

Azeris complain of “cultural and ethnic insults and humiliation” ("Annual report 2001") [#5735],  [ID 8787]

"85. The Azerbaijan Turkic-speaking people of Iran (the Azeris) are recognized as the largest
ethnic minority and may indeed be the largest ethnic group in the country. It appears to be
accepted that about 12 million of them live in the north-west and that in the country as a whole
there may be as many as 30 million. It is asserted that the Azeris have lived on the Iranian
plateau for thousands of years and that they predate the entry of Persian tribes to the area.
86. The complaints brought to the Special Representative concern the use of the Azeri
language and that the unwelcome prospect of Azeri cultural assimilation is accelerating
(see annex III). More particularly, Azeris are asking for the teaching of “proper” Azerbaijani
Turkish along side Persian in schools in regions predominantly inhabited by Azeris, production
in and the broadcasting of “proper” Azerbaijani Turkish on radio and television, the allocation of
one television channel for Turkish language broadcasting, the creation of schools of Azerbaijan
Turkish language and literature at universities throughout Iran (it is noted that while Azerbaijani
Turkish is not taught at the University of Tabriz, seven other languages are taught) and the
facilitation of the creation of Azerbaijani Turkish cultural centres.
87. The representations reaching the Special Representative also refer to harassment and
imprisonment of Azeri cultural activists, such as Dr. Mehmud Ali Chehregani, whose
circumstances were described by the Special Representative in earlier reports and whose
imprisonment was the subject of urgent representations by the Special Representative to the
Government. He has since been released. The Special Representative has received copies of
open letters to the President signed by various groups of Azeri personalities, such as members of
the Majilis and writers and poets, demanding fair treatment for Azeri culture. Their letters have
taken the President to task for unimplemented campaign promises on cultural freedom; they
complain of “cultural and ethnic insults and humiliation” from government media sources and
they invoke article 15 and article 19 of the Constitution."

Document(s): Open document

16.01.2002 - Source: UN Human Rights Council (formerly UN Commission on Human Rights)

List of specific complaints received by the UN SPecial Representative ("Report on the situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran, prepared by the Special Representative of the Commission on Human Rights, Mr. Maurice Danby Copithorne, pursuant to Commission resolution 2001/17 (E/CN.4/2002/42)") [#5732],  [ID 8788]

"Denial of cultural autonomy;
Harassment and imprisonment of cultural activists;
The banning of the use of the Azeri language in schools;
The use of Farsi-Azeri hybrid, rather than pure Azeri, on television and radio;
Teaching in schools that the birth of the Iranian people came with the arrival of the
Persian tribes and that the Azeri people are Iranian Aryans, forced to change their
language upon the arrival of the Mongolians;
Changing or distorting Azeri geographical names;
Refusal to register a child with an Azeri name."

Document(s): sr-irn-0102.pdf
Open document

11.2001 - Source: Austrian Centre for Country of Origin and Asylum Research and Documentation

00.11.2001 - ACCORD: Iranian Azeris not targeted as group or persecuted unless they are involved in opposition-related activities; Azeris who engage in nationalist activities subject to arbitrary detention and unfair trials ("7th European Country of Origin Information Seminar Berlin, 11 - 12 June 2001: Final Report - Iran") [#7661],  [ID 8789]

"Iranian Azeris are not targeted as a group and not persecuted unless they are involved in some general opposition-related activities. Their claims should be examined on an individual basis and recognition should be decided on the merits of the case. On the one hand, the majority of the shopkeepers in Tehran are Azeris and speak Turkish. On
the other hand, there is the case of Dr. Mahmud Ali Chehregani, a prominent member of the Azeri community. He had demanded recognition of the national rights of the Azeri community as guaranteed under Art. 15 of the Constitution, which permits the use of regional languages in the media and in schools in addition to Persian. Dr. Chehregani has been imprisoned since 1999 and is considered by Amnesty International as a prisoner of conscience.

As mentioned above, opposition activities, such as nationalism expressed by Azerbaijanis, are subject to arbitrary detention and unfair trials. MP Chehregani was taken into detention on the way to his office in the Parliament, and later tried before a Revolutionary Court. Trials before the Revolutionary Court typically deal with national crimes, e.g. currency and drug offences. Dr. Chehregani was accused of importing shampoo and perfumes. On the basis of depriving the Iranian treasury of taxes, he was tried in a closed trial. He was given the right to have a lawyer, but only an hour and a half before the trial. Therefore, he defended himself. In the course of the trial, a judge from Tehran was brought in, in addition to the Tabrisi judge, an Azerbaijani judge. Dr. Chehregani, through his own guile and cleverness managed to get a telephone connection to the man who was to serve as a main witness against him. The man had
also been detained and had stated ”yes, I saw you taking perfume across the border”. At the end of his testimony, Dr. Chehregani asked the man: ”Were you forced to give this testimony?” The witness remained silent. At the end of the trial Chehregani said: ”Look, you bring this man in from Tehran, who cannot answer this question. Is this a fair trial?” He was sentenced to jail."

Document(s): cois2001-irn.pdf

10.08.2001 - Source: UN General Assembly

Azeris are the largest of Iran’s ethnic minorities as well perhaps as the most successfully integrated ("Situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic in Iran A/ 56/278") [#4950],  [ID 8790]

"81. Azeris are the largest of Iran’s ethnic minorities as well perhaps as the most successfully integrated (see A/55/363, paras. 68-70). However, open voices of discontent are now being heard more often. According to press reports from Tabriz, a group of Azeri legislators, academics and intellectuals wrote to the
President demanding greater language rights in education and broadcasting. They reminded him of campaign words in which their identity, language and
culture were sometimes mocked. accorded to the minority Shia community, and some of the stronger words by Kurdish members of the Majilis have been in that context."

Document(s): 02192iran.pdf
Open document