Inclusive Vision

The Director of the Foundation for Inclusive Society, Ramin Jabbarli, participated as a panelist at an event held at the University of Toronto titled Mother Tongue in a Changing World, organized by the IPEK Center.

In his talk, Jabbarli examined how language-based inequality and exclusionary language policies in Iran have contributed to the long-term underrepresentation of ethnic minorities in national politics. Drawing on a century-long dataset he compiled covering 1925 to 2024, he compared patterns of political representation between the dominant Persian ethnic group and the subordinate Azerbaijani Turk ethnic group, tracing how institutional rules have shaped unequal access to the state.

Foundation Director Speaks at Mother Tongue Conference The Director of the Foundation for Inclusive Society, Ramin Jabbarli, participated as a panelist at an event held at the University of Toronto titled Mother Tongue in a Changing World, organized by the IPEK Center.In his talk, Jabbarli examined how language-based inequality and exclusionary language

This report provides a detailed overview of human rights violations committed against Azerbaijani Turks in Iran during the second quarter of 2025 (April–June). It documents a range of abuses including arbitrary arrests, unfair sentencing, ex*****ons, physical assaults, and intimidation by security forces. The persistent and systematic nature of state repression targeting this community is recorded. By presenting these cases, this report aims to shed light on the ongoing denial of fundamental human rights and freedoms faced by Azerbaijani Turks in Iran.

During this reporting period, 20 individuals were detained and later released, while 8 others received prison sentences in connection with their activities. At least 13 people were executed by hanging, reflecting the continued reliance on capital punishment despite mounting international calls for its abolition.

A separate but equally concerning development relates to the denial of birth certificates. The inability to obtain this essential document, particularly among ethnic minority communities, represents a serious human rights violation with long-term implications for children’s access to education, healthcare, and civil rights. During this period, at least 7 newborns were denied birth certificates.

Iran: A Human Rights Report on the Azerbaijani Turks in Iran | April-June 2025 Click here to download and read the full reportThis report provides a detailed overview of human rights violations committed against Azerbaijani Turks in Iran during the second quarter of 2025 (April–June). It documents a range of abuses including arbitrary arrests, unfair sentencing, ex*****ons, ...

This report provides a detailed overview of human rights violations committed against Azerbaijani Turks in Iran during the first quarter of 2025 (January–March). It documents a range of abuses, including arbitrary arrests, unfair sentencing, ex*****ons, physical assaults, and intimidation by security forces. The persistent and systematic nature of state repression targeting this community is recorded. By presenting these cases, this report aims to shed light on the ongoing denial of fundamental human rights and freedoms faced by Azerbaijani Turks in Iran.

During this period, 8 individuals were detained and released, while 16 people received prison sentences for their activities. At least 16 individuals were executed by hanging, illustrating the persistent reliance on capital punishment despite growing international calls for its abolition. One case of assault and battery was reported, exemplifying the use of physical violence as a means to intimidate and punish activists. Additionally, 2 individuals were threatened and summoned by security forces, reflecting the persistent pattern of harassment and intimidation targeting activists.

The reported ex*****ons, cases of assault and battery, and threats by security forces collectively illustrate the systematic repression faced by Azerbaijani Turks in Iran, undermining their safety, curtailing their freedoms, and restricting their access to basic rights. This report will delve into the details of each case and provide further evidence of these ongoing violations.

Iran: A Human Rights Report on the Azerbaijani Turks in Iran | January-March 2025 Click here to download and read the full reportThis report provides a detailed overview of human rights violations committed against Azerbaijani Turks in Iran during the first quarter of 2025 (January–March). It documents a range of abuses, including arbitrary arrests, unfair sentencing, ex*****on...

📢 New Report Alert

2024 Annual Report: Capital Punishment of Azerbaijani Turks in Iran

Capital punishment remains a pervasive tool of state control in Iran, with ex*****ons carried out on a large scale. In 2024, Iran carried out 909 known ex*****ons, including 30 women, making it one of the highest ex*****on rates in the world. Among those executed, 73 were Azerbaijani Turks. Of the 30 women executed, 9 were Azerbaijani Turks, making up 30% of all female ex*****ons. Additionally, 63 Azerbaijani Turk men were executed, accounting for 7% of total male ex*****ons. These numbers indicate that Azerbaijani Turk women, in particular, face a higher risk of ex*****on. The actual number of ex*****ons is likely higher, but this report includes only cases that have been verified and documented.

In this report, we raise concerns about specific cases that require immediate attention as they reflect the broader pattern of repression against ethnic minorities in Iran. Beyond the high number of ex*****ons, other alarming incidents point to the persecution faced by Azerbaijani Turks and other marginalized groups. Sharifeh Mohammadi, a labor activist, remains in Lakan Prison, Rasht, facing a capital punishment verdict, further illustrating the use of harsh judicial measures against activists and minority voices. The case highlights the urgent need for international scrutiny and intervention.

The ex*****on data presented in this report demonstrates the disproportionate impact of capital punishment on the Azerbaijani Turk community, reinforcing long-standing patterns of systemic discrimination and state repression. Minority groups such as Azerbaijanis, Kurds, and Balochs have historically faced political marginalization, cultural suppression, and judicial bias, with ex*****ons frequently employed as a tool to instill fear and maintain control.

The ex*****on data underscores the systematic repression of the Azerbaijani Turk community and other marginalized groups, including Kurds and Balochs, who have long faced political marginalization, cultural suppression, and judicial bias. The final quarter of 2024 saw a sharp escalation, with 45 Azerbaijanis, including five women, executed between October and November, one of the deadliest periods for Azerbaijani Turks in recent years. This wave of ex*****ons has drawn condemnation from human rights organizations, yet accountability remains elusive.

The targeted ex*****ons and broader policies of repression signal an escalating human rights crisis. Without international pressure and legal accountability, Azerbaijani Turks and other minorities will remain at risk of state violence and systemic persecution. Immediate action is needed to prevent further injustices.

2024 Annual Report: Capital Punishment of Azerbaijani Turks in Iran Click here to download and read the full report Capital punishment remains a pervasive tool of state control in Iran, with ex*****ons carried out on a large scale. In 2024, Iran carried out 909 known ex*****ons, including 30 women, making it one of the highest ex*****on rates in the world. Among

Coming Soon!
The Foundation for Inclusive Society is set to release its 2014 Annual Report on the Capital Punishment of Azerbaijani Turks in Iran.

Report: Systematic Denial of ID Issuance to Azerbaijani Children in Iran (2023-2024)

The ability to name a child is a fundamental right rooted in personal autonomy, cultural identity, and familial privacy. However, in Iran, the state imposes severe restrictions on naming practices, disproportionately targeting ethnic minorities such as Azerbaijanis and Baloch people. These restrictions are part of a broader forced assimilationist agenda that seeks to enforce Persian linguistic and cultural dominance. By rejecting non-Persian names and withholding birth certificates from children whose names do not conform to state-imposed norms, the Iranian government systematically marginalized ethnic minorities. This policy not only erases cultural identities but also denies individuals access to essential services, reinforcing cycles of exclusion and inequality.

In Iran, the process of obtaining a birth certificate for a child from an ethnic minority group is fraught with bureaucratic obstacles and discrimination. Civil registry offices enforce a strict list of government-approved names, predominantly Persian and Islamic-Shiite in origin. Parents seeking to register names that fall outside this list, particularly those reflecting non-Persian languages such as Azerbaijani Turkic or Balochi, often face outright rejection. For example, Azerbaijani families are frequently denied the right to name their children Volkan/Vulkan (meaning volcano), or Ayil (meaning resurrection or awakening), simply because these names do not conform to Persian linguistic norms. Instead, parents are forced to select from a predetermined list dictated by the government.

The arbitrary and subjective nature of this naming policy aligns with Iran’s broader strategy of cultural assimilation. By controlling which names are legally recognized, the government actively suppresses minority languages and identities. Azerbaijani civil activists in Iran see this policy as part of a systematic effort to engineer a homogenous national identity, one that privileges Persian culture while erasing the rich diversity of Iran’s ethnic communities.

The right to choose a child’s name is recognized under international human rights law as an essential component of identity and self-determination. Several global conventions affirm this right. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) upholds personal freedoms and the right to a private family life, both of which extend to naming practices. Similarly, the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) states that every child has the right to a name and nationality from birth, reinforcing the principle that state interference in naming violates fundamental human rights. Additionally, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) explicitly protects against discrimination and cultural suppression, which occur when governments impose naming restrictions based on ethnicity, language, or religion. Iran’s restrictive naming policies violate these international commitments, undermining the rights of parents and children alike. By enforcing a narrow definition of acceptable names, the state erodes cultural heritage and denies families the right to pass down linguistic and historical traditions to future generations.

The impact of Iran’s naming restrictions extends far beyond cultural suppression. The refusal to register certain names can lead to the denial of birth certificates, which, in turn, prevents children from accessing essential services such as healthcare, education, and social protection. Without official identification, individuals cannot enroll in schools, obtain lawful employment, or receive public healthcare. Hospitals may refuse to treat children without legal documentation unless their families can afford exorbitant fees, and even in death, they may be denied proper burial rights.

This policy disproportionately harms communities already marginalized due to political and economic discrimination. In poverty-stricken and underdeveloped regions, the inability to obtain a birth certificate further entrenches deprivation and inequality. Azerbaijani, Baloch, and other minority populations suffer the most from these systemic injustices, as their children are often denied legal identity solely because their parents chose names that reflect their cultural heritage rather than the state-imposed Persian standard.

The Iranian government’s restrictions on naming rights and birth registration represent a clear violation of fundamental human rights. By forcing families to adhere to Persian-centric naming policies, the state not only erases minority identities but also perpetuates cycles of marginalization and exclusion. The prohibition on issuing birth certificates, particularly for Azerbaijani children whose names do not conform to Persian norms, is a grave injustice that demands urgent reform. To align with international human rights standards, Iran must abolish restrictive naming laws and ensure that all children, regardless of ethnic background, have access to birth registration and the fundamental rights it protects. Without such changes, Iran’s naming policies will continue to serve as a tool of oppression, deepening social inequalities and eroding the rich cultural diversity of its people.

Report: Systematic Denial of ID Issuance to Azerbaijani Children in Iran (2023-2024) Click here to download and read the full reportIntroduction The ability to name a child is a fundamental right rooted in personal autonomy, cultural identity, and familial privacy. However, in Iran, the state imposes severe restrictions on naming practices, disproportionately targeting ethnic min

Coming Soon!
The Foundation for Inclusive Society is releasing a report on the systematic denial of ID issuance to Azerbaijani children in Iran. Stay tuned!

This report addresses human rights violations against Azerbaijani Turks in Iran during the fourth quarter of 2024 (October, November, and December). The first section focuses on the detention of 12 individuals, some of whom have been released on bail pending the completion of legal proceedings.

The second part of the report discusses 17 individuals who have been sentenced, detailing various prison terms and fines. It also provides updates on an individual previously sentenced and currently serving their imprisonment. The third part focuses on an exiled individual who refuses to comply with exile laws and has been fined.

The next part of the report describes the ex*****on of 45 Azerbaijanis by the Iranian government between October and November 2024, including five women. This harsh and extensive use of the death penalty highlights the Iranian government’s systemic reliance on inhumane and irreversible punishment as a tool for control and suppression. These ex*****ons, often following unfair trials, are carried out in prisons across the country and disproportionately target vulnerable populations.

The ‘Denial of Medical Care’ section highlights the urgent health needs and mistreatment of imprisoned Azerbaijani activists, previously detailed in Part Two for their charges and accusations, with a focus on those who have been intentionally denied access to medical care.

The ‘Restrictions on Issuance of ID Certificates for Children’ section examines the systematic denial of identification documents for children, particularly those from marginalized ethnic groups such as the Baluch and Azerbaijani communities. It highlights specific cases where families encountered obstacles in registering culturally significant names, emphasizing the broader human rights implications of this discriminatory practice.

The ‘Recommendations’ section urges the Iranian government to immediately halt inhumane ex*****on sentences, particularly for non-violent crimes. It calls for international pressure on Iran to uphold fundamental rights, end arbitrary detentions, and release political prisoners. The international community is urged to hold the Iranian government accountable, demand fair trials, and advocate for the abolition of the death penalty as a tool of political repression.

Iran: A Human Rights Report on the Azerbaijani Turks in Iran | October-December 2024 Click here to download and read the report Summary This report addresses human rights violations against Azerbaijani Turks in Iran during the fourth quarter of 2024 (October, November, and December). The first section focuses on the detention of 12 individuals, some of whom have been

📢 New Report Released

This report documents ongoing human rights violations against Azerbaijani Turks in Iran (July–Sept 2024), including ex*****ons, arbitrary detentions, dismissals from employment, and forced exiles. These abuses reflect systemic patterns of oppression.
Read the full report on our website.

Iran: A Human Rights Report on the Azerbaijani Turks in Iran | July-September 2024 Click here to download and read the report Summary This report highlights human rights violations in Iran, focusing on the Azerbaijani Turks, from July to September 2024. During this period, various types of oppression have been noted, including ex*****ons, detentions, dismissals from job

As the Foundation for Inclusive Society, we have been documenting human rights violations against Azerbaijanis in Iran for two years, providing ongoing information to human rights organizations, researchers, and the public.
All reports are available here:
http://inclusivevision.org

Iran: A Human Rights Report on the Azerbaijani Turks in Iran | April-June 2024 Click here to download and read the report Summary This report documents human rights violations against Azerbaijani Turks in Iran, particularly in the Azerbaijani region, for the second quarter of 2024, encompassing April, May, and June. It highlights the lack of access to human rights or