Oral Statement: Discrimination in Education Against Iranian Azerbaijani Turks
Ladies and gentlemen,
Today, I want to draw your attention to the systemic educational discrimination faced by the Azerbaijani Turks in Iran. Despite being one of the largest ethnic minorities in Iran, Azerbaijani Turks are denied fundamental rights in education, which severely undermines their cultural identity and heritage.
First, Azerbaijani Turkish is entirely absent from Iran’s public education system. Not only are Azerbaijani children deprived of learning in their mother tongue, but even basic courses on Azerbaijani Turkish language, history, or culture are not introduced. This exclusion violates international human rights standards advocating for minority language education.
Second, Persian remains the sole language of instruction, and history textbooks promote biased narratives. For example, one textbook states, “Rulers of Turkic origin, who used to live in nomadic tribes, couldn’t manage to rule a country properly, hence they governed a huge territory like Iran with the help of wise, knowledgeable Iranian viziers.” Such content generates a fertile ground for the anti-Turkic sentiment while erasing Azerbaijani contributions to Iran’s history.
Additionally, the state’s renaming of Azerbaijani Turkish as “Azari”—a term used to align with Persian nationalist narratives—attempts to sever the community from its Turkic roots. Activists who demand mother-tongue education or celebrate Azerbaijani culture often face imprisonment, torture, and accusations of separatism.
These policies reflect a broader strategy to assimilate minorities and strengthen Persian nationalism, further marginalizing Azerbaijani Turks and fueling discontent.
I urge the international community to advocate for systemic reforms in Iran’s education system. Recognizing Azerbaijani Turkish as a legitimate language of instruction and integrating Azerbaijani history and culture into curricula are crucial steps toward equality and cultural preservation.
Thank you.