Southern Azerbaijan has been a member of the UNPO since 2007. 

The people of Southern Azerbaijan are unique because of their rich cultural and linguistic heritage as ethnic Azerbaijanis, with deep historical ties to the broader Azerbaijani culture that spans across modern-day Iran and Azerbaijan.

The region, predominantly inhabited by ethnic Azerbaijanis, is located in the northwest of Iran. The people of Southern Azerbaijan face systemic exclusion from political decision-making processes by the Iranian government, which has long suppressed their cultural and linguistic rights. The Azerbaijani language is not officially recognized in Iran, and efforts to promote Azerbaijani culture and political rights are met with repression, including arrests of activists, censorship, and restrictions on freedom of assembly.

The UNPO secretariat works for the rights of the people of Southern Azerbaijan as a whole and might work with different civil society organizations, groups and representatives from Southern Azerbaijan. However, the main organization representing the rights of people of Southern Azerbaijan within the UNPO membership and with voting rights at the General Assembly is South Azerbaijan Democrat Party (SADP).

Southern Azerbaijan, a region in northwest Iran, is home to a significant population of Azerbaijani Turks who share a distinct cultural and linguistic identity. The region’s most important city is Tabriz, a historical center for Azerbaijani culture and political activity. The Azerbaijani Turks of Southern Azerbaijan primarily speak Azerbaijani Turkish, a Turkic language closely related to Turkish and Iraqi Turkmen. This region, known for its geographical diversity with mountains, valleys, forests, and lakes, holds a significant place in the cultural and historical landscape of Iran. Despite their deep roots in this land, the Azerbaijani Turks have long faced systematic efforts to suppress their cultural and linguistic heritage within Iran.

Southern Azerbaijan, known simply as Azerbaijan in ancient times, is a region with a rich history dating back thousands of years. This area has long been a crossroads for trade and cultural exchange between East and West, contributing to its significance in the region. The area became a center of Islamic learning, literature, and art during the rule of Persian dynasties such as the Seljuks and Safavids. However, throughout its history, Southern Azerbaijan has faced numerous invasions and periods of foreign domination, including by the Mongols, Ottomans, and Russians.

In the early 20th century, Southern Azerbaijan found itself further entangled in the complexities of Iranian national politics. Following the fall of the Qajar dynasty and the rise of the Pahlavi regime, Southern Azerbaijan, with its significant Azerbaijani Turk population, was fully incorporated into the modern Iranian state. This incorporation, however, was marked by tensions between the Azerbaijani population and the central government in Tehran, which has often sought to suppress the region’s distinct cultural and linguistic identity.

These tensions were exacerbated after World War II, particularly during the 1946 establishment and subsequent collapse of the Azerbaijan People’s Government, a Soviet-backed autonomous state in Iranian Azerbaijan. This brief period of autonomy was quickly quashed by the Iranian military, reinforcing the central government’s control over the region and deepening the sense of alienation among the Azerbaijani Turks.

These tensions were exacerbated after World War II, particularly during the 1946 establishment and subsequent collapse of the Azerbaijan People’s Government, a Soviet-backed autonomous state in Iranian Azerbaijan. This brief period of autonomy was quickly quashed by the Iranian military, reinforcing the central government’s control over the region and deepening the sense of alienation among the Azerbaijani Turks.

Today, the Azerbaijani Turks in Southern Azerbaijan face significant challenges, including systemic cultural, economic, and environmental discrimination, as well as political repression.

Culturally, despite constitutional guarantees for minority rights, the Iranian government has consistently suppressed Azerbaijani Turkish culture and heritage. Azerbaijani Turks are denied education in their native language, and there are concerted efforts to replace Azerbaijani place names with Farsi ones, effectively erasing historical and cultural markers. Media broadcasts are almost exclusively in Farsi, neglecting minority languages. Those who advocate for Azerbaijani linguistic and cultural rights are often met with arrest, imprisonment, and persecution. Women in Southern Azerbaijan experience dual discrimination, both as members of a minority group and due to their gender, compounding the difficulties they face under repressive state policies.

Economically, Azerbaijani Turks, like other non-Persian groups in Iran, suffer from severe economic marginalization. The central government’s investments have predominantly favored Persian regions, leading to significant disparities in development. Southern Azerbaijan, despite its rich cultural and historical significance, has seen minimal economic investment. This lack of investment has contributed to widespread poverty, forcing over eight million people to migrate from rural areas of Southern Azerbaijan to urban centers in central Iran, where they often live in impoverished conditions.

Environmental degradation further threatens the well-being of the Azerbaijani Turks. The gradual destruction of Lake Urmia, once one of the largest saltwater lakes in the world, has become a symbol of environmental neglect. Government policies, particularly the construction of numerous dams and poor waste management practices, have led to a dramatic reduction in the lake’s water volume, with devastating ecological consequences. The resulting environmental crisis has led to increased salinity, threatening agriculture and human health in the region.

Politically, the Iranian government continues to crack down on any form of activism in Southern Azerbaijan. Cultural figures and activists are frequently arrested and subjected to harsh prison conditions for advocating for their community’s rights. Mass arrests at cultural gatherings and protests are common, with those demanding linguistic rights or critiquing government policies often charged with “acting against national security.” This pervasive repression stifles any meaningful dissent and further marginalizes the Azerbaijani Turkish community.

Respecting the right to self-determination for the Azerbaijani Turks in Southern Azerbaijan is crucial for fostering peace, justice, and inclusivity in Iran. Addressing the cultural, economic, and environmental grievances of this community can help resolve longstanding tensions and promote stability in the region. By enabling the Azerbaijani Turks to preserve their cultural identity, exercise linguistic rights, and participate fully in the political process, Iran can move toward a more equitable and inclusive society that benefits all its citizens.