Deutsche Welle Persian – Taher Shir Mohammadi - September 8, 2010
The UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination has strongly criticized the situation of ethnic groups in Iran in its periodic report. Deutsche Welle sought the opinions of two experts on ethnic issues in Iran: Dr. Kamal Sido and Abdolsattar Doshouki.
UN Criticism of Iran's Ethnic Policies
The 18-member UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, in its periodic report published on Friday, August 27, 2010, in Geneva, called on the Iranian government to adhere to the international convention it has signed and to end discrimination against ethnic minorities in the country.
The report initially commended the active participation and cooperation of Iranian governmental bodies in various stages of the investigation and for providing documents and evidence. Despite this praise, the final report strongly criticized Iran's "discriminatory" practices.
Iran’s Efforts to Secure a Positive Report
Dr. Abdolsattar Doshouki, an expert on ethnic issues in Iran who has written articles about the activities of the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, told Deutsche Welle that since 2006, the Iranian government has attempted to secure a positive report by providing documentation and evidence.
According to Doshouki, Iran tried to demonstrate to the committee that no complaints of discrimination had been raised by individuals or groups associated with ethnic communities within the country. As a result, Iran argued that the absence of complaints and related legal claims meant the committee could not conclude that discrimination exists in Iran.
However, Doshouki noted that the committee acted contrary to Iran's expectations. In its report, the committee stated that victims of discrimination lack trust in Iran's legal and law enforcement authorities.
Including Ethnicity in Census Questionnaires
In section "C" of its report, the committee called on the Iranian government to include a question about individuals' ethnic affiliation in the national census questionnaires, allowing citizens to freely record and specify their ethnicity. Additionally, the committee requested that the results of this census be officially published.
The committee also expressed concern about the lack of opportunities and freedom for ethnic groups to learn and teach their native languages, as well as the lack of representation and employment of individuals belonging to these groups. In paragraph 15 of its report, the committee noted that Iran's ethnic provinces are the poorest regions in the country.
Expert: General Reports Are Insufficient
Dr. Kamal Sido from the "Society for the Defense of Oppressed Nations" in Germany told Deutsche Welle:
“General reports from human rights organizations on the Green Movement, the general situation in Iran, or opposition to the regime are insufficient. The time has come to specifically report on the situation of each ethnic minority in Iran.”
Sido emphasized that his organization welcomes reports from the UN or any other body that detail the conditions of Iran's ethnic groups.
"Discrimination Is Not Limited to the Government"
Dr. Abdolsattar Doshouki, speaking about the extent of ethnic discrimination in Iran, explained:
“Unfortunately, ethnic and religious discrimination in Iran is not limited to the government. These discriminatory practices are institutionalized in Iranian society, and in many cases, individuals engaging in such discrimination are unaware of it.”
Doshouki also pointed to the Iranian constitution, which he said discriminates against ethnic groups. He noted that these forms of discrimination violate the UN Convention on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.
Regarding Iran’s response to the UN report, Doshouki stated that the Islamic Republic has not yet issued an official reaction. Despite its efforts to secure a positive report and its cooperation with the committee, Iranian authorities and domestic media have remained silent.
UN Recommendations
In the conclusion of its report, the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination called on the Iranian government to respond to the issues raised in the report within one year.
Editorial: Keyvandokht Ghahari
The link to the original article in Farsi on Deutsche Welle Persian:
کارشناسان: تبعیض قومیتها در ایران نهادینه شده است