Radio Odlar Yurdu - Oct 14, 2012
Human Rights and Environmental Challenges in Iran: A Report by Dr. Ahmed Shaheed
Alarming Restrictions on Azerbaijani Turks Rights in Iran
In a report presented to the United Nations General Assembly on October 24, 2012, Dr. Ahmed Shaheed, the United Nations Special Rapporteur for Human Rights in Iran, highlighted significant human rights concerns facing the Azerbaijani minority in Iran. The report, focusing on systemic issues that obstruct the Islamic Republic’s ability to comply with its international obligations, sheds light on the ongoing discrimination and repression of ethnic Turks, particularly in the areas of education, culture, and political expression.
According to Dr. Shaheed, Azerbaijani Turkish communities in Iran face a concerted effort by the government to suppress their language and cultural identity. The report reveals that Azerbaijani Turkish, the native language of the region's largest ethnic group, is not represented in the media, including newspapers, radio, or television. Furthermore, educational and literary publications in Azerbaijani, such as the monthly journal Dilmaj, have been shut down since 2007, and websites in the language are blocked or prohibited.
One of the most alarming aspects of this repression is the prohibition of teaching in Azerbaijani in schools. This has led to alarmingly high illiteracy rates among Azerbaijani Turks, who also face restrictions on organizing cultural events. The government’s refusal to allow Turkish businesses to operate under their own language and names further limits the community’s economic development.
Cultural and Political Repression: Arrests and Harassment
Dr. Shaheed's report also highlights reports of arrests and harassment directed at Azerbaijani individuals involved in cultural and political activities. One focal point of these actions has been Babek Castle, located in Kalayber, a site historically linked to Azerbaijani Turkish cultural pride. Attendees of political and cultural events at the site are often subjected to detention, prosecution, and even harsh sentences under charges of crimes against national security. Those demanding basic language rights have been dismissed as "unpatriotic," with the government responding with punitive measures.
The repression of Turkish cultural rights is part of a broader pattern of political repression in Iran. According to the report, the Iranian government views any dissent, particularly calls for language and cultural rights, as a threat to the regime’s authority and national unity.
Environmental Crisis: The Impact of Lake Urmia’s Drying
In addition to human rights issues, Dr. Shaheed’s report draws attention to the environmental disaster affecting Azerbaijanis, specifically in the East Azerbaijan and West Azerbaijan regions. Lake Urmia, once the largest lake in the Middle East, is rapidly drying up due to government policies, particularly the redirection of water for agriculture and industry. The lake, which has lost more than half of its water volume, is facing devastating environmental consequences that threaten both the agricultural livelihood of the region and the ecological balance of one of Iran's most densely populated areas.
The environmental crisis surrounding Lake Urmia exacerbates the hardships already faced by the Azerbaijani population, already burdened by governmental neglect and systemic discrimination. Local communities are bracing for a future where the environmental fallout from the lake's drying will contribute to escalating economic and social challenges.
International Attention and the Way Forward
The report by Dr. Shaheed urges the international community to remain vigilant in monitoring the human rights situation in Iran, particularly for ethnic minorities like Turks, who continue to face systemic discrimination and cultural erasure. The United Nations Special Rapporteur's findings highlight the need for a comprehensive approach to both environmental protection and human rights in Iran, where political will must shift to address these long-standing issues.
As the Iranian government continues to face pressure from international bodies, the situation for Azerbaijani Turks and other minority groups in Iran remains dire, with hopes for significant reforms remaining uncertain. The ongoing plight of the Azerbaijani community, coupled with the environmental catastrophe of Lake Urmia, calls for urgent international attention and advocacy for human rights in Iran.