Iran: UNPO welcomes the UN Special Rapporteur...

The report highlights the disproportionate number of executions of members of minority communities, in particular the Baluch and Kurds, as well as the excessive use of force and arbitrary detentions affecting...

Read more »

UNPO Presents Submission To UN Special Rapporteur...

Between 40 and 50% of the Iranian population belong to ethnolinguistic minorities that differs from the dominant Farsi (Persian)-speakers. This makes Iran a mosaic of languages, cultures and political...

Read more »

Minority Rights in Iran : UNPO Co-organizes Conference...

Iran is a deeply diverse country with different ethnic minorities, religions and languages. Its richness lies in its diversity, much like the European Union. However, the democratic deficit there withholds...

Read more »

European Parliament Passes Resolution Backing...

The resolution was passed resoundingly in the European Parliament following the efforts of MEPs Fabio Massimo Castaldo, Ignazio Corrao and Ilhan Kyuchuk. In a speech to the European Parliament plenary...

Read more »

UNPO Calls on European Union to Protect Ahmad...

In September 2019, the European Parliament issued a resolution calling for the release of all EU citizens by Iran.2 Since that time, it has become abundantly clear that Iran has no compunction about murdering...

Read more »

UNPO joins global call for urgent action on arbitrarily...

URGENT INTERNATIONAL ACTION NEEDED TO SECURE RELEASE OF KURDISH ACITVISTS AND OTHERS ARTBITRARILY DETAINED IN IRAN February 3, 2021 – We, the undersigned 36 civil society and human rights organizations,...

Read more »

Iran: Persecution of Journalists on the Rise

Below is an article published by RFERL Reporters Without Borders (RSF) is urging the UN Human Rights Council to take measures to defend Iranian journalists and citizen-journalists who are being "censored,...

Read more »

Iranian Regime's Brutal Persecution of Minorities...

Consistently violating the international law, Iran oppresses and disciminates against non-Persian nations, including Kurds, Baluchs, Ahwazi Arabs, Azerbaijani Turks, and Turkmen, curtailing their access...

Read more »

Iran: Protests Facing "Swift and Brutal ...

Below is an article by Breitbart News Iranian security forces rushed to suppress a new wave of demonstrations across Iran on Thursday and Friday. The regime is clearly nervous about a possible repeat...

Read more »

Iran: No Country for Minorities

Below is an article published by Open Democracy The visibility of Iran’s geopolitical rivalry with the United States through the Trump administration’s continuation of economic warfare against...

Read more »

Iran: Water Mismanagement Negatively Affects Ethnic...

For the past two months [April/May 2019], floods have destroyed hundreds of towns and villages in Iran, severely affecting local communities. As a result, many people from these local communities have...

Read more »

European Parliament Adopts Resolution on Human...

With this resolution, the Parliament is calling the Iranian government to take solid action against the systematic arrest, persecution, imprisonment and torture of human rights defenders. One of the highlights...

Read more »

Iran: In Face of U.S. Sanctions Against Iran,...

The article below was published by Politico:   The EU's effort to thwart U.S. President Donald Trump's Iran sanctions is open for business. France, Germany and the U.K. — the European guarantors...

Read more »

Iran: Minorities Campaign for Right to Education...

According to Hamid Hajbabaie, the minister of education, in 2012 70% of students who started their education in Iran did not have Farsi (Persian) as their mother tongue. Instead of accepting the fact that...

Read more »

Southern Azerbaijan: Several Activists Arrested...

The article below was published by Iran Human Rights Monitor: At least 32 Azerbaijani activists arrested in the lead-up to an annual July protest at Babak Fort in East Azerbaijan province against discrimination...

Read more »

UNPO Members Bring Testimony to Journalism Festival...

The speech of Mr Abdirahman Mahdi is enclosed to this article. Watch the full intervention here. On 14 April 2018, the Italian radio “Radio Radicale“ organised a panel entitled...

Read more »

Iran: Hidden Costs of European Investments in...

During these protests, a majority of experts on Iran stated that it was a unique moment. What distinguished these protests from previous ones was that they were set in motion without a particular leadership,...

Read more »

The ‘Carrot & Stick’ Policy: Iran’s...

For a long time now, the ‘carrot and stick’ policy has been Iran’s principal way to deal with the demands of the Iranian population: on one hand promises of minor reforms, but on the...

Read more »

Iranian Minorities and Oppositions Discuss the...

The conference was held in two panels and opened by MEP Martina Michels (GUE/NGL). In her speech, Ms Michels criticised the European position toward Iran and was especially critical of the German position...

Read more »

What is Happening in Iran?

Starting in Mashhad last Thursday [28 December 2017], low income workers took to the streets in response to hyperinflation that saw the price of staple foods, such as eggs and poultry, increase by 50%....

Read more »

Freedom of Expression Should Be Guaranteed to...

UNPO is monitoring with attention the ongoing events in Iran as it counts among its members four ethnic communities living in Iran: the Ahwazi Arabs, the Southern Azerbaijanis, the Baloch, and the Kurds....

Read more »

UNPO Announces Launch of Council of Iranian Democrats...

The following final resolution was unanimously approved by all the participants: Whereas the current turmoil, and political, economic and social crisis that has been imposed on Iran over the past four...

Read more »

Southern Azerbaijan: Activist Freed After Months...

  The article below was published by Araz News:   South Azerbaijan national activist Mr. Habib Sassanian was released from Tabriz Central Prison on Monday 28th of Aug 2017. The south...

Read more »

Southern Azerbaijan: Shrinkage of Lake Urmia Threatens...

Below is an article published by NCRI  Lake Urmia in northwest Iran is on the verge of downright drying, according to the director general of crisis management bureau in West Azerbaijan Province....

Read more »

Hudson Institute Conference Highlights Urgency...

  After welcoming the event’s speakers and participants, the conference’s host, Eric B. Brown, opened the event by pointing out that Iran is an ethno-religious mosaic which includes...

Read more »

UNPO and Hudson Institute Co-Organise Conference...

Iran is an ethno-religious mosaic that includes Persian Shia in addition to a diversity of minority groups such as Azerbaijani Turks, Ahwazi, Baloch, and Kurds. Many non-Persians have felt politically...

Read more »

BPP’s Nasser Boladai’s Outlook on the 2017...

  Find below an article published by Nasser Boladai (UNPO, BPP): Iran’s political system discriminates against its citizen based on a variety of criteria, such as gender, religious affiliation,...

Read more »

Southern Azerbaijan: AHRAZ Publishes Report on...

  Below is the report published by AHRAZ:   Report on the death penalty in Azerbaijan’s cities in Iran (2015-2016) From October 2015 to October 2016, totally 588 people were sentenced...

Read more »

Iran: Swiss Parliament Conference Raises Awareness...

  The article below was published by the Ahwaz Human Rights Organisation: Wednesday 8th of March (2017), Human rights organisations and political parties representing nationalities in Iran held...

Read more »

Southern Azerbaijan: Mother Language Advocates...

Below is an article published by Southernazerbaijan.com: On 21 of February 2017, the International Mother Language Day, Iran’s persecutory Islamic Tribunal sentenced 4 South Azerbaijani mother language...

Read more »

Southern Azerbaijan: Human Rights Advocate Tortured...

Below is an article published by Southernazerbaijan.com: The South Azerbaijani human rights advocate Seyamak Mirzayi was sentenced to a harsh punishment of 10 years in prison and 2 years exile to Tabas...

Read more »

Southern Azerbaijan: Prison Refuses Medical Assistance...

  Below is an article published by ARAZ News:   Muhammad Esalari, prisoner in ward 12 in Tabriz Central Prison, following a severe heart pain called for medical attention, but instead of being...

Read more »

HRW World Report 2017 Reminds Global Community...

According to the World Report’s emphasis, the most egregious human rights violations against indigenous populations in 2016 can be seen in the crackdowns on Oromo in Ethiopia, the lingering human...

Read more »

Iranian Kurdistan/Southern Azerbaijan: Ayatollah...

The article below was published by Kurdistan24: TEHRAN, Iran (Kurdistan24) – A funeral turned into an opportunity to voice dissent on Tuesday as an estimated two million gathered on the streets...

Read more »

Southern Azerbaijan: Activist Released from Prison...

The article below was published by the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran: Azeri rights advocate Morteza Moradpour has been hospitalized in Tabriz, East Azerbaijan Province, while he recovers...

Read more »

Southern Azerbaijan Delegation to Washington DC...

During their 5-day visit to Washington DC in December 2016, the UNPO delegation met with Members of Congress and the US Senate, experts of various think tanks, as well as Human Rights Watch (HRW) officials....

Read more »

Southern Azerbaijan: Imprisoned Civil Rights Activist...

The article below was published by the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran: Imprisoned Azeri civil rights activist Morteza Moradpour has lost 44 pounds and is suffering from severe kidney...

Read more »

UNPO Organises Meeting with European Parliament...

Ms Mona Silavi from the Democratic Solidarity Party of al-Ahwaz (DSPA) reported about the suffering of the Arabs in Ahwaz, in the South West of Iran. Even though their region provides more than 90% of...

Read more »

Democracy and Rule of Law Are Human Rights

  On international Human Rights Day, UNPO reiterates its commitment to the promotion of democracy, rule of law, and human rights everywhere. The first United Nations Forum on Human Rights, Democracy...

Read more »

Southern Azerbaijan: Industrial Pollution of River...

Below an article published by Araz News: Armenia’s nuclear power plant and aluminum plant wastewater entering the river Araz, which its news has leaked a few years ago by environmental activists...

Read more »

Ahwazi and Southern Azerbaijan: Iranian Delegation...

The videos of both interventions can be found below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rAN2s0S1DwI https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DdP9kEH3USQ

Read more »

Southern Azerbaijan: Activists Languish in Prison...

Below is an article posted by Iran Human Rights: At least eight political prisoners are currently on life-threatening hunger strikes in Tehran and Karaj to demand better conditions and reviews of their...

Read more »

Southern Azerbaijan: Activist Starts Second Hunger...

Below an article published by Payvand: Imprisoned Azeri rights activist Rasoul Razavi has received emergency medical treatment on several occasions since he started a hunger strike in Tabriz Prison on...

Read more »

Southern Azerbaijan: Independence Day Concert...

  The article below was published in Azernews:   A marvelous concert devoted to the 25th anniversary of Azerbaijan's independence took place at the Philharmonic Hall. Azerbaijanis celebrate...

Read more »

Southern Azerbaijan: Report Highlights Repeated...

The article below is courtesy of Ahraz.org Labours’ strike at Mashin-Sazi factory in Tabriz: Labours at Mashin-Sazi factory in Tabriz went on strike on 9 August 2016, to protest against the privatization...

Read more »

Southern Azerbaijan: New Report provides Details...

  Below is an article published by Ahraz.org According to the report of HRANA, Dr. Ismail Afkhami, who had been detained in Ardabil about a month ago, was released on the bail of 3 billion IRR from...

Read more »

Southern Azerbaijan: Civil Rights Activist Soheila...

  Below is an article published by Ahraz.org According to AHRAZ, the arrest of Soheila was violent and without presenting any warrant. Her brother Javad Kargar confirmed that “At 10 am on...

Read more »

Southern Azerbaijan: April AHRAZ Report on Human...

  Photo courtesy of Ahraz. Below is the report published by Ahraz:   Morteza Nourmohammadi 14 March 2016, the Turk activist Morteza Nourmohammadi was released on bail in Shabestar, northwest...

Read more »

Southern Azerbaijan: New Report on Human Rights...

  Below is a statement published by AHRAZ: Report on the situation of Iranian Azerbaijanis regarding human rights: Abbas Lesani, Azerbaijani Turk activist from Ardabil ended his hunger strike after...

Read more »

Southern Azerbaijan: January AHRAZ Report on Human...

  Photo courtesy of Ahraz Below is the report published by Ahraz   25 years old man was executed on public: On 7 Jan 2016 a 25 years old man was executed on public in ShabestarEast...

Read more »

Southern Azerbaijan: Periodic Report on Human...

  Below is an excerpt of the report published by Ahraz: Report on the situation of Iranian Azerbaijanis regarding human rights: Atabak Sepehri On 9 Nov 2015 Atabak Sepehri, the Azerbaijani Turk...

Read more »

Southern Azerbaijan: Protest over Offensive Portrayal...

Below is an article published by Radio Free Europe:   A slur against ethnic Azeris on an Iranian children's television program has sparked a backlash that has spilled onto the streets. The popular...

Read more »

Southern Azerbaijan: August & September AHRAZ...

  Below is the report in full and attached: August & September 2015 Report on the situation of Iranian Azerbaijanis regarding human rights: On 13 September 2015 Shahrokh Zamani, 52-year-old...

Read more »

Beyond the Nuclear Deal: Side-Event at UN Discusses...

Mr Nasser Boladai, UNPO President, opened the conference with an overview of the differing opinions that surround the Iranian nuclear deal.  While some groups consider the agreement to be a positive...

Read more »

Southern Azerbaijan: New Academic Year for Iran’s...

Below is a document sent to UNPO by our member, the South Azerbaijan National Awakening Movement (SANAM).     Each year, September 23 is the beginning of the academic year in Iran. On this...

Read more »

Second Parliamentary Question on the Lake Urmia...

Lake Urmia is a UNESCO-registered bio-reserve, once one of the world’s largest hyper saline lakes, located in the northwestern part of Iran and lies in between East and West Azerbaijan provinces,...

Read more »

Southern Azerbaijan: Labour Activist Found Dead...

Below is an article by Radio Zamaneh A funeral was held in Tabriz on Tuesday [15 September 2015] for Shahrokh Zamani, the labour activist who died in prison. The Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA)...

Read more »

Southern Azerbaijan: Said Matinpour Released

  Click here to read the article in Farsi.Photo Credit: Said Saed 

Read more »

Southern Azerbaijan: Human Chain on Lake Urmia,...

Read more »

Southern Azerbaijan: July 2015 Report on Human...

  Shokrollah Ghahramani On 24 June 2015, Shokrollah Ghahramani, the Azerbaijani Turk civil rights activist, was arrested in his hometown, Khodafrin, and then transferred to Ahar city prison, where...

Read more »

Joint Public Statement on the 21st Anniversary...

The Islamic Republic of Iran is now under periodic review by the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child, which will decide on the country’s implementation of the treaty in its 71st session, in January...

Read more »

Southern Azerbaijan: AHRAZ Report on Human Rights...

  Below is the AHRAZ Report for June 2015, also attached:   Hossein Alimohammadi & Taha Kermani On 15 Jun 2015, Hossein Alimohammadi and Taha Kermani’s lawyer submitted appeal...

Read more »

New Chapter with Iran: An Opportunity to Bring...

The sensitive nature of the nuclear negotiations with Iran has for years served as a reason – if not excuse – for Western governments and the European Union not to get too involved in anything...

Read more »

Southern Azerbaijan: Civil Rights Activists’...

Below is a report published by the Association for the human rights of the Azerbaijani people in Iran:   Iranian security forces arrested Hossein Alimohammadi an Azerbaijani civil right activist...

Read more »

UNPO Alternative Report to CRC Highlights the...

The Alternative Report aims to examine the compliance with and implementation of the Convention on the Rights of the Child by the Iranian Government, focusing especially on children of the Ahwazi Arab,...

Read more »

Iranian Minorities Delegation Informs US Congress...

On the picture (from left to right): Mr. Nasser Boladai, Congressman Steve Chabot, and Mr. Loghman H. Ahmedi. Despite having a rich cultural diversity, the Islamic Republic of Iran prioritizes Shi’a...

Read more »

UNPO’s UPR Reports Denounce Human Rights Situation...

Photo by Izahorsky On the occasion of the 20th Session of the United Nations Universal Periodic Review, UNPO has submitted two reports denouncing the human rights situation in the Republic of Iraq and...

Read more »

Ahwazi: Iran’s Human Rights Issues Need Att...

Below is a statement by the IHR:  Human rights should now be the focus of international dialogue with Iran following the break-through on nuclear talks in Geneva, says the Norway-based Iran Human...

Read more »

Southern Azerbaijan: US Congress discusses independence...

Published by Vestnik Kavkaza,

Read more »

UNPO General Secretary Calls for Urgent Action...

  Brussels, 29 October 2013 - The Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization (UNPO) is calling on the international community to exercise pressure on the Iranian authorities to urgently take...

Read more »

Southern Azerbaijan: Political Panel Held In...

Below is an article published by:Gamoh.org Dr. Alireza Abdullahi, member of the South Azerbaijan National Awakening Movement (SANAM-GAMOH) Central Committee, participated in a panel aiming to analyze...

Read more »

UNPO General Secretary Speaks At European Parliament...

In cooperation with the Delegation for Relations with Iran, the Sub-committe on Foreign Affairs at the European Parliament held an exchange of views on the situation in Iran on Thursday, 26 September 2013,...

Read more »

Exploring the Path of Federalism in the Middle...

Wednesday 2 October 2013 14:00 – 16:00  Room ASP 5E3 European Parliament, Brussels   18 September 2013, Brussels - The office of Mr. Tunne Kelam MEP (EPP) and the Unrepresented Nations...

Read more »

Southern Azerbaijan: Political Prisoners On Hunger...

Below is an article published by Today’s Zaman:     Five South Azerbaijani politicians from northwestern Iran, imprisoned for establishing a political party advocating their identity...

Read more »

Southern Azerbaijan: Independence Day Observed...

Below is an article published by Gamoh:  The Azerbaijani Embassy hosted an event in which many U.S officials were invited for the commemoration of the ‘Democratic Republic of Azerbaijan’,...

Read more »

Southern Azerbaijan: Repression Intensifies As...

Below is a story from Minority Voices Newsroom:     As the June presidential election approaches, Iranian authorities intensify repression against Azerbaijani-Turkish civil rights and political...

Read more »

South Azerbaijan: Protesters In Ankara Show Their...

Below is an article published by gamoh.biz The Iranian regime recently imprisoned five renowned South Azerbaijani human rights activists for the supposed crime of “working against the Iranian regime”....

Read more »

Iranian Minorities: What Future After Ahmadin...

On behalf of the Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization (UNPO) and the Nonviolent Radical Party, you are cordially invited to attend the parallel event ''Iranian minorities: what future after Ahmadinejad?''...

Read more »

Southern Azerbaijan: 21st Anniversary Of The Khojaly...

Below is an article published by News.Az: I hope someday you will join us, and the world will live as one... (C) John Lennon People present their feeling of justice in different photo frames. Being beyond...

Read more »

Southern Azerbaijan: Protest To Commemorate Mother...

Below is an article published by gamoh.biz: On February 22, 2013 South Azerbaijani Turks gathered in front of the Department of State, located in the U.S capital Washington, D.C. They commemorated...

Read more »

Southern Azerbaijan: Human Rights Activists I...

Below is an article published by Gamoh.biz:     Many South Azerbaijani human rights activists have been arrested in the eastern part of South Azerbaijan, encompassing cities like capital Tabriz,...

Read more »

Southern Azerbaijan: Human Rights Activist Found...

Below is an article published by Gamoh Naser Khanzadeh was arrested several times and he was detained by the security forces of the Iranian regime after the South Azerbaijan National Uprising Day in 2006...

Read more »

Southern Azerbaijan: Thousands Remain Homeles...

Below is an article published by Aljazeera:   A grown man, resilient from a life of hard work and circumstance, is reduced to tears. His hands are caked in dirt, swollen from the cold and physical...

Read more »

East Turkestan: Call For Unity With Southern ...

Below is an article published by the APA Information Agency:   The leaders said the Turks of South Azerbaijan and East Turkestan are the same nation, underlined the importance of cooperation between...

Read more »

UNPO General Secretary Briefs Delegation for Relations...

Also present in the human rights briefing were representatives of Amnesty International, the Human Rights Democracy Network, the Christian Solidarity Network, the International Rehabilitation Council for...

Read more »

Southern Azerbaijan: Protests Against Human Rights...

Below is an article published by Güney Azərbaycan Milli Oyanış Hərəkatı: The new education year in Iran has begun, but Southern Azerbaijani Turks are unhappy because...

Read more »

Twin Earthquakes Devastate Southern Azerbaija...

Below is an article published by Al Jazeera: Casualties from a pair of earthquakes that devastated rural villages in northwest Iran on the weekend have risen to a total of 306 people, most of them women...

Read more »

Southern Azerbaijan: Aid Distributed after Earthquake...

Below is an article published by Hurriyet Daily News: The Turkish Red Crescent has begun to distribute relief to victims of deadly twin earthquakes that hit northwestern Iran over the weekend. Two trucks...

Read more »

Southern Azerbaijan: New SANAM Report On Rights...

Below is a report published by the Southern Azerbaijan National Awakening Movement (SANAM): -        Known national activist, Akbar Moohajeri was arrested on 21.5.2012...

Read more »

European Parliament Urgency Resolution Reiterates...

Brussels, 14 June 2012 – During the plenary session in Strasbourg on 14 June 2012, Members of the European Parliament discussed the situation of ethnic minorities in Iran in the latest declaration...

Read more »

Southern Azerbaijan: Detained Blogger Hospitalized...

Below is an article published by Radio Free/Europe Radio Liberty: Jailed Iranian blogger Hossein Ronaghi Maleki has been transferred to a hospital, his family has told RFE/RL.  Ronaghi Maleki has...

Read more »

Southern Azerbaijan: Thousands Celebrate Cult...

Below is an article published by the Southern Azerbaijan National Awakening Movement (SANAM): The Southern Azerbaijan Culture Bureau (Güney Azerbaycan Kültür Derneği),...

Read more »

Southern Azerbaijan: Symposium Addresses Situation...

Below is an article published by SANAM Turkey.  On Friday, April 27 [2012], an important symposium, organized by SANAM, was held in the capital of Turkey, Ankara bout the purposeful drying of lake...

Read more »

Southern Azerbaijan: Symposium Discusses Situation...

Below is an article published by SANAM Turkey: On Friday, April 27 [2012], an important symposium, organized by SANAM, was held in the capital of Turkey, Ankara about the purposeful drying of lake Orumiyeh....

Read more »

Southern Azerbaijan: Rights Violations Raised...

Below is an article published by Gamoh: Near 200 participants, amongst them members of the Azerbaijanian and Turkish parliaments, well known writers and thinkers, publicly renowned artists, and many human...

Read more »

UNPO Report Outlines Threats to Indigenous Peoples’...

UNPO has submitted an Alternative Report to the UN Committee on Cultural, Economic, and Social Rights (CESCR) ahead of Iran’s review at the 49th Session in May 2012.  This report to the Treaty...

Read more »

UNPO Co-Hosts "Minority Rights In Iran"...

  Wednesday, 14 March 2012   Together with Minority Rights Group International, UNPO hosted an event on Wednesday, 14 March 2012 at the 19th Session of the UN Human Rights Council titled...

Read more »

All Eyes On Iran During UN Human Rights Counc...

Photo: Ahmed Shaheed, Special Rapporteur on Iran addresses during the 19th Session Human Rights Council. 12 March 2012. Photo by Jean-Marc Ferré - UN Information Service - Geneva Geneva,...

Read more »

Southern Azerbaijan: SANAM General Assembly

Below is an press release published by SANAM:   Azerbaijan National Awakening Movement’s (SANAM) successful General Assembly was held in the capital of Turkey, Ankara, on February 4, 2012....

Read more »

Southern Azerbaijan: SANAM Delegates Participant...

Below is an article published by Sana News: According to SANA NEWS, the conference of the Turkish World Human Rights Organization took place in Ankara’s Bey Pazari city on December 10-11 [2011]....

Read more »

Southern Azerbaijan: Residents Urge Azerbaijani...

Below is an article published by Azeri-Press Agency: A group of Azerbaijani Turks living in Iran addressed the President of Azerbaijan Republic Ilham Aliyev and Chairman of the Azerbaijani Parliament...

Read more »

Southern Azerbaijan: Execution Of Five Azerbaijanis...

Below is a statement as issued by ADAPP Five Iranian Azerbaijanis,  Jamal Shaikhzade, Farhad Islamdust, Muhammad Jangali, Dehqan Salamat and Riza Alipour were executed on 10 October, the World Day...

Read more »

Southern Azerbaijan: The Condition of Lake Orumiyeh...

Below is an article published by Gamoh, SANAM Iranian President, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, says that “the Lake Orumiyeh naturally dries every five hundred years." However, scientists doing research on the...

Read more »

UNPO UN Report Outlines Civil And Political Rights...

UNPO has submitted an Alternative Report to the UN Human Rights Committee ahead of Iran’s review under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) at the 103rd Session in October...

Read more »

Southern Azerbaijan: Gandhi's Legacy - Civil...

Below is an article published by Radio Free Europe   When Leon Panetta, the new United States defence secretary, declared on September 6 that it was only "a matter of time" before an Arab Spring-style...

Read more »

Southern Azerbaijan: Iranian Dams Threaten Lake...

Below is a statement released by The Association for Defense of Azerbaijani Political Prisoners in Iran: The Association for Defense of Azerbaijani Political Prisoners in Iran (ADAPP) is appealing to...

Read more »

Southern Azerbaijan: Azerbaijani MP Ganira Pahayeva...

Below is an article published by News.Az:  It is regrettable that the Iranian regime still continues its policy of discrimination against Azerbaijani Turks who make up almost half of population of...

Read more »

A Lake of Salt Threatens to Destroy Communities...

The Southern Azerbaijani National Awakening Movement (SANAM) has written a letter calling for action from the Iranian government and the international community to address an environmental and humanitarian...

Read more »

Southern Azerbaijan: An Open Letter to the United...

Below is an article published by the Huffington Post.   To: Dr. Ahmed Shaheed United Nations Special Rapporteur for Human Rights in Iran  Allow me to begin with my best wishes for a great...

Read more »

Southern Azerbaijan: Soft Support to Iranian Opposition...

Below is an article published by News. AZ Ethnic Azerbaijanis in Iran give mostly passive support to anti-government protests, a political scientist has said. They will give stronger support, if the...

Read more »

Hearing on Tehran’s Ethno-Cultural Discrimination...

Political representatives of three different ethnic minority groups, Mr Nasser Boladai (Balochistan People’s Party), Ms Sedigheh Adalati (Federal Democratic Movement of Azerbaijan) and Mr Miro Aliyar...

Read more »

Southern Azerbaijan: Report Highlights Iranian...

  Below is an article published by the Association for the Defense of Azerbaijani Political Prisoners:   The systematic violations of Azerbaijanis human and ethnic rights in Iran continued...

Read more »

Iran: U.N. Urges Iran To Tackle Racism

Below is an article published by Reuters: GENEVA (Reuters) - Iran should do more to protect its ethnic minorities such as Arabs, Kurds and Baloch, a United Nations human rights body said on Friday. The...

Read more »

Southern Azerbaijan: 50 Azerbaijani Arrested by...

  Below is an article published by SANAM: According to the report from Mr. Aghri Garadaghli (SANAM representative in Baku, Azerbaijan), more than 50 Southern Azerbaijani Turks have been arrested...

Read more »

Southern Azerbaijan: National Activist Ayat Mehralibaglou...

  Below is an article published by SANAM:   According to intelligence from SANAM’s Northern Azerbaijan (Azerbaijan republic) representative, known Southern Azerbaijani national activist...

Read more »

Southern Azerbaijan: Prison Conditions For Southern...

Below is an article published by the Southern Azerbaijan National Awakening Movement (SANAM): Akbar Azad and Shahram Radmehr, both Southern Azerbaijani human-rights activists, have spent the last two...

Read more »

Southern Azerbaijan: Repression Against Southern...

  Below is an article published by Southern Azerbaijan National Awakening Movement (SANAM) :   It has been a month since Zahra Farajzadeh was detained by the security forces of...

Read more »

Southern Azerbaijan: Association For The Defence...

 Below is an article published by Association for the Defence of Azerbaijani Political Prisoners in Iran:ADAPP condemns stoning of any kind and for any reason as is stipulated by the Universal Declaration...

Read more »

Southern Azerbaijan: Family Members of S. Azerbaijani...

  Below is an press release published by Southern Azerbaijan National Awakening Movement: To international human-rights organizations: Ayat Mehralibagloo, known and a leading national and...

Read more »

Southern Azerbaijan: Iranian Regime Arrests Southern...

  Below is an article published by SANAM :  Zahra Farajzadeh: This Southern Azerbaijani Turkish women activist was arrested on Saturday, June 19. The reason for her arrest is reported by...

Read more »

Southern Azerbaijan: Iranian Security Forces Arrest...

  Below is an article published by The South Azerbaijan National Awakening Movement (SANAM):Below are the names of five innocent S. Azerbaijani activists who have been arrested in the past week....

Read more »

Southern Azerbaijan: Appeal to Stop violence Against...

  Below is a letter published by Southern Azerbaijan National Awakening Movement:Dear Sir/Madam,Azerbaijan Turks, struggling for their rights in Iran Islamic Republic, recently meet unprecedented...

Read more »

Southern Azerbaijan: Activist Aydin Khajei Sentenced...

   Below is an article published by SANAM: Le us recap that Aydin Khajei, a peaceful Azerbaijan Student Movement (AZOH) activist was arrested in his university campus (Tabriz University)...

Read more »

Southern Azerbaijan: Football Journalist Held...

 Below is a call for urgent action published by Amnesty International:Abdollah Sadoughi, aged 33, a member of Iran's Azerbaijani minority, writes for the Iranian publications Goal, Corner and...

Read more »

Periphery Voices from Iran

Iran’s population is a mosaic of ethnicities, but the non-Persian groups are largely located in the peripheries. Unfortunately, their geographical location in the margins is matched by cultural,...

Read more »

UNPO Iranian Members Recommend Steps to Effective...

  The session was based on the theme of “Minorities and Effective Political Participation” and representatives utilised the platform to identify obstacles to their involvement in political...

Read more »

Southern Azerbaijan: Minorities Disillusioned...

Below is an article published by The People's Voice : Iran's large Azerbaijani minority feels disappointed and ignored by the pro-democracy movement, which has been widely praised internationally...

Read more »

Southern Azerbaijan: Insulted by Former Iranian...

  Below is a press release published by Association for Defense of Azerbaijani Political Prisoners in Iran: Protests have erupted this week [May 2009] in three Iranian cities after former Iranian...

Read more »

Speech, Zia Sadr Al Ashrafi

  Iran has a surface area of 1 648 195 km² (what represents 1/6 of Canada). It was the cradle of the second older age of the world (civilization Elamite), after Iraq (Sumerians civilization),...

Read more »

Speech, Nasser Mobaraki

 For a PDF version of this speech, please click here.   Ladies and Gentlemen: First of all I would like to thank UNPO and in particular Maggie for providing us with such a platform and opportunity...

Read more »

Speech, Hossein Ladjevardi (Persian)

Mr. Ladjevardi's speech is in Persian. Please click here to read it.

Read more »

Speech, Golmorad Moradi (English and Persian)

For a PDF copy of the speech in English,please click here. For a PDF copy of the speech in Persian, please click here.   Ladies and Gentlemen, It is an honour for me to be here for this Conference...

Read more »

Iran Conference Press Release, March 24 2009

European Parliament to Host Meeting of Leading Iranian Dissidents   Brussels, 24 March 2009   Leading Iranian opposition figures will be meeting in Brussels, Belgium for a two-day conference...

Read more »

Southern Azerbaijan: Language Restrictions in...

   Below is an article published by: Radio free Europe Radio Liberty February 21 was International Mother Language Day and I thought of my own mother language, Azeri Turkish.Azeri Turkish...

Read more »

Southern Azerbaijan: Canadian Exposes Persecu...

 Below is an article published by the Vancouver Sun :There is a haunted look in Fakhteh Zamani's eyes as she recalls guiding Iranian activist Vahid Davarpanah through the streets of Turin, Italy.He...

Read more »

Southern Azerbaijan: 20 Activists Arrested in...

Below is an article published by ANS Press : 20 Azerbaijanis including Rugeyya Lisani, wife of Abbas Lisani, one of the leaders of the movement for the rights of Iranian Azerbaijanis and their children...

Read more »

Southern Azerbaijan: Traditional Wedding Leads...

Below is an article published by Iranian Minorities Human Right Organisation (IMHRO) : Vedud Asadi is well-known for his work promoting the cultural and language rights of Iran's Azeri minority,...

Read more »

Southern Azerbaijan: Iran Murders Another Act...

Mr Khosroshahi had reported being threatened several times by the Iranian Intelligence & Security (ETTELAAT). His dead body was found in the bathroom of is own office. According to a colleague, Mr...

Read more »

Southern Azerbaijan: Political Activist Found...

Body of the resident of Tabriz City Farhad Rahim Mohsini, 25 recently detained by the Iranian Law-enforcement organizations was found in the Elglu garden of the city. Head of the Research and Information...

Read more »

Southern Azerbaijan: Iran’s Stranglehold St...

Below is an article written by D. Khatinoglu and published by Trend News: Although a half of Iranian population is Iranian citizens of Turkic origin (Azerbaijanis), the authorities still do not recognize...

Read more »

Southern Azerbaijan: Lisani’s Health Worsen...

Despite an appeal on 10 March 2008, Abbas Lisani remains in detention and the authorities continue to restrict medical access. Below is an appeal issued by the Committee for the Defense of Abbas Lisani: It...

Read more »

Southern Azerbaijan: Free Lisani Now!

Detained, beaten, and now deported, it is time that the international community moves to ensure his release from Iranian abuse. Below is a press release issued by the Committee for the Defense of Mr....

Read more »

Iran: Opposition Groups Unify

A three-day conference aiming to unify Iran’s many opposition movements, including a number of minority communities, was held this weekend [15-17 June 2007] in Paris.  Below is an article...

Read more »

Iran: UK Halts Asylum Talks

The British government’s spokesperson announced yesterday (01/05/07) that the memorandum of understanding with Iran on the return of failed asylum seekers has been abandoned.  Below is an article...

Read more »

Southern Azerbaijan: Iran Stifles the Azeris

As more and more Azeri human rights activists are targeted by the Iranian government, the struggle for democracy and human rights in Southern Azerbaijan gains visibility. Below is an article written by...

Read more »

Southern Azerbaijan: Activist Forced to Iran

Below is an article published by Baku Today: Hadi Sid Javad Musavi, an activist with a nationalist Azeri group inside Iran, flew from the Azerbaijani capital Baku to Tehran early Thursday [12 April 2007],...

Read more »

Southern Azerbaijan: Activist Arrested

Below is an article published by Azeri-Press Agency: “Hadi Seyid Javad Musevi, one of the activists of Southern Azerbaijan National Awakening Movement, who was detained by Azerbaijani police and...

Read more »

Southern Azerbaijan: Reports of Border Closi...

Below is an article published by Regnum News Agency: On April 3, a customs check-point on the Azerbaijani-Iranian border was closed, Zerkalo newspaper (Azerbaijan) reports, saying that hundreds of Azerbaijani...

Read more »

Southern Azerbaijan: Linguistic Rights Threat...

Below is an Urgent Action notice published by Amnesty International on 9 March 2007: The Iranian Azerbaijani cultural and linguistic rights activists named above [Esma’il Javadi, Ebulfezl Alilu,...

Read more »

Southern Azerbaijan: Protestors Demand Halt of...

The Hague, 28 February 2007 - Demonstrations took place last week on 21 and 22 February 2007 in Southern Azerbaijan protesting the systematic oppression and discrimination of the Southern Azerbaijani community...

Read more »

Southern Azerbaijan: Admitted to UNPO

The latest meeting of the UNPO Presidency, which met from 01 – 03 February at the European Parliament in Brussels, has continued pursuit of UNPO’s goal of giving a voice to all unrepresented...

Read more »

Southern Azerbaijan: US Condemns Persecution

Below is an article published by Demaz: Bush’s administration after international human rights organizations expressed concern about the fact that authorities in Iran oppress ethnic and religious...

Read more »

2009 UN Forum on Minority Issues: Iranian Group...

12-13 November 2009, Geneva   UNPO Participants with Ms McDougall   Karim Abdian addresses the Forum   Monireh Sulemani of the BPP             ...

Read more »

2010 Periphery Voices from Iran

  The aftermath of the Iranian elections in 2009 pushed people power and protest within Iran onto the front pages worldwide. Most media outlets failed to notice however that a substantial proportion...

Read more »

2009 Conference: Human Rights and the Question...

In conjunction with Congress of Nationalities for a Federal Iran (CNFI) UNPO organized a two day programme focusing on the possibility of federalism in Iran to act as a vehicle to combat human rights discrimination...

Read more »