On 27th September 2024, the Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization (UNPO) submitted a report to the UN Special Rapporteurs raising concerns regarding the structural challenges the Baluch minority in Iran face, exacerbated by the disregard and inaction of the Iranian central authorities. These issues, such as natural resources exploitation and poverty, the lack of infrastructure and its consequent health impacts or the water mismanagement in the region not only shape the living conditions in Balochistan but also intensify the impacts of climate change in the province.
Since the establishment of Iran as a Persian state, and more so since the Islamic revolution in 1979, successive central governments have constantly implemented discriminatory policies against the Baluch and other ethnic minorities. To this one must now add to the many environmental challenges faced by the province such as recurrent droughts, insufficient funding for the protection of species or significant governmental mismanagement when it comes to water rights and infrastructure. All these factors aggravate the already existing extreme poverty conditions and underdevelopment in Balochistan, intensify the risk of casualties and outbreak of infectious diseases after floods and lead to internal displacement of indigenous Baluch people, further adding to the neglect and marginalisation of the region.
Overall, the UNPO believes that the circumstances violate several rights of the Baluch population, including limitations of the right to practise one’s religion and speak one’s language, as well as the exclusion from political and economic participation. Accordingly, the UNPO’s appeal to the UN Special Rapporteurs presents the following recommendations:
- Provide the necessary economic and equipment to the Disaster Management Center in the province in order to be able to adequately respond to new flash floods and torrential rainfall.
- Implement sustainable water management systems to address chronic water scarcity and drought. This includes the construction of reservoirs, rainwater harvesting systems, and the restoration of natural water bodies.
- Build flood-resistant infrastructure, including roads, bridges, and housing, to mitigate the impact of natural disasters such as flash floods.
- Establish preventive measures to protect the Baluch region from natural disasters. This includes early warning systems, community preparedness training, and emergency response plans.
- Conduct a comprehensive review of water policies to ensure equitable distribution and sustainable usage of water resources in Balochistan.
- Adapt national and local policies adequate to vulnerable communities including people living in poverty, women, children, and long-standing discriminated against minorities and indigenous peoples.
- Implement measures to stop discrimination against the Baluch and other ethnic minorities in Iran, ensuring equal rights and opportunities for all.
- Support initiatives to preserve and promote Baluch culture, language, and heritage, fostering a sense of pride and identity within the community.
- Ensure that Baluch representatives are included in policy-making processes at all levels of government to ensure their voices are heard and their needs are addressed.
We look forward to the consideration of our recommendations by the United Nations Special Rapporteurs, recognising the importance of addressing the serious environmental challenges, as well as the political and social discrimination faced by the Baluch and other marginalised ethnicities in Iran. The UNPO remains committed to our efforts to raise awareness of the discrimination facing minority communities and advocate for their rights at the international level.
You can read our submission to the UN Special Rapporteurs here: Balochistan Caught Between Drought and Flood
