Azerbaijanis

This statement, prepared by ArcDH, addresses the issue of access to "water and sanitation for all," as per Agenda 2030 of Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG6) with reference to the lack of performance by the Islamic Republic of Iran and the impact on its minority nations, particularly the nation of Azerbaijan in Azerbaijani provinces in Iran (the Azerbaijanis). This is against a background where the minority nations in the country know that access to safe drinking water and sanitation is their human right, but they are deprived of it.

This Statement is submitted by ArcDH with respect to the deteriorating human rights situation in the Islamic Republic of Iran, especially with respect to women and children. It reflects the arbitrary acts of paramilitary and security operatives of the Iranian authorities in Azerbaijani provinces in Iran and identifies the impacts and the mindset of the Iranian authorities in hiding the Azerbaijani dimension.

The South Azerbaijani Turkic people are a significant ethnic group in Iran, with an estimated population of 25-30 million. They primarily reside in the northwestern region of South Azerbaijan and have a rich and ancient history dating back to the pre-Islamic period. Despite this, their native language, Azerbaijani Turkish, is not recognized as official in Iran, resulting in limited use in government and public life. This has led to various forms of discrimination against them, including cultural, linguistic, economic, political, and social bias.