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| United Nations |
In its latest report, the United Nations Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights expressed concern over the violation of the linguistic and cultural rights of Azerbaijani Turks and other non-Persian ethnic groups living in Iran. The committee called on the Islamic Republic of Iran to take practical steps to change this situation.
According to a document published on the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) website, this report is based on the committee's observations in the second periodic review of Iran's implementation of the International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights. The report was discussed during meetings that began on May 1 and was adopted by the committee on May 17.
The committee expressed concern about the high levels of illiteracy among Azerbaijani Turks and Ahvaz Arabs, urging the Iranian government to take measures to address this issue. "The committee recommends that the Iranian government ensure the opportunity for ethnic groups to receive education in their native languages," the UN document states.
The committee also made recommendations to the Iranian government on taking necessary steps to ensure the full and unrestricted participation of ethnic groups, such as Azerbaijanis, Kurds, Arabs, and Baluchis, in cultural life. It called for the non-censorship of publications and newspapers in non-Persian languages.
"The state should take measures to preserve cultural diversity and increase awareness of the cultural heritage of ethnic and national minorities. In line with the Committee's General Comment No. 21 on the right of everyone to participate in cultural life, the government should provide favorable conditions for members of non-Persian communities to preserve, express, and disseminate their identity, history, culture, language, customs, and traditions," the document further recommends to the Islamic Republic of Iran.
The UN committee also suggested that the Iranian government adopt anti-discrimination laws in accordance with the provisions of the International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights. The document also addresses various issues related to the rights of women, religious minorities, and sexual minorities.
Link to the original text in Turkish on the Azerbaijani section of Voice of America:
BMT: İran qeyri-fars xalqların etnik və milli kimlikliyini ifadə etmə haqqını təmin etməlidir