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| Amir Makouei |
Statelessness: A Minority Issue – Eleventh Session of the Forum on Minority Issues
Statement by Amir Makouei, Board of Directors, AHRAZ
Dear President, Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen,
I am honored to speak as a representative of the Azerbaijani Turkish populations living in Iran. I would like to bring to your attention one of the most pressing but hidden issues affecting the relationship between ethnic groups, as well as between religious and ethnic minorities and the ruling majority. This issue, if not addressed, could lead to serious ethnic and religious conflicts similar to those experienced in the Balkans. It has the potential to cause mass displacement and, ultimately, statelessness for many minorities in Iran. This is an early warning that demands immediate research, investigation, and intervention.
The problem at hand is the forced migration and displacement of ethnic groups within Iran, a situation exacerbated by state policies that deliberately mix populations. These policies have resulted in territorial disputes, competing land claims, and the creation of maps based on ultra-nationalist ideals. These tensions, largely fueled by neglect and ignorance, have led to an increase in ethnic and religious conflicts, hate speech, and discord, primarily visible in social media and public discourse. As a result, ethnic minorities in Iran are becoming more polarized, with potential for both inter- and intra-ethnic violence—a situation that could easily spiral into civil war.
The Iranian government has taken advantage of this environment, fueling ethnic divisions and diverting attention away from minority rights toward internal ethnic disputes. These tensions are deliberately cultivated as part of a broader deterrence strategy by the Islamic Republic of Iran. The increased vulnerability of minorities in this climate, coupled with the heightened risks of disaster, has led to policies that exacerbate division, weakening and disuniting these groups.
Ultra-Persian nationalism, coupled with its monopoly over the country's minorities, has sparked hatred, racism, and extreme nationalism among non-Persian ethnic groups, creating friction not only between minorities and the ruling Persian majority but also within minority groups themselves.
Ladies and gentlemen,
The idea of the Balkanization of Iran is not a mere fiction—it is a reality that is being orchestrated by the Iranian government. Minorities in Iran urgently need open, sincere dialogue to resolve their issues and prevent further fragmentation. The time to act is now—tomorrow may be too late. We must come together, resolve our disputes peacefully, and unite against the forces of racism and polarization.
Thank you.