Page 1 — Introduction and Context 
Iran is home to diverse ethnic and cultural groups, including Kurds, Baluchis, Arabs, Azeris, and Turkmen. Despite their rich contributions to the country’s heritage, these minorities face systemic discrimination, political marginalisation, and periodic crackdowns by state authorities. 

For many, persecution takes the form of surveillance, arrests, and restrictions on language and culture. Increasingly, minorities flee Iran, seeking asylum abroad to escape repression and preserve their identities. 

Page 2 — Historical and Political Background 
Iran’s modern state-building has often prioritised centralised control at the expense of its ethnic diversity. Since the early 20th century, minorities have faced pressures to assimilate, including restrictions on language use and cultural expression. 

After the 1979 Islamic Revolution, promises of inclusion gave way to new forms of repression. Kurdish uprisings were violently suppressed, while Baluchi and Arab regions suffered neglect and military crackdowns. Over time, the government tightened control, using accusations of separatism to justify persecution. 

Page 3 — Forms of Persecution 
Ethnic and cultural minorities in Iran experience repression in many ways: 

- Political marginalisation: exclusion from meaningful representation in government. 
- Language suppression: restrictions on Kurdish, Arabic, and other minority languages in schools and media. 
- Military crackdowns: violent campaigns in Kurdish and Baluchi regions. 
- Economic neglect: underdevelopment and poverty in minority-populated provinces. 
- Arbitrary arrests: activists and community leaders detained for cultural or political advocacy. 

These conditions make daily life precarious and limit opportunities for minority groups. 

Page 4 — Consequences for Citizens and Society 
For minority citizens, persecution means loss of cultural identity, economic hardship, and fear of state violence. Families often face displacement or exile, splitting communities across borders. 

For Iranian society, discrimination weakens national unity and fuels unrest. Instead of embracing diversity, repression fosters resentment and alienation. Internationally, Iran’s persecution of minorities draws condemnation, while the global asylum system absorbs a steady flow of refugees from Iran’s border regions. 

Page 5 — Solutions and Conclusion 
Protecting minorities in Iran requires both structural reform and cultural recognition. 

Key steps include: 
- Legal protections: guarantee equal rights for all citizens, regardless of ethnicity. 
- Cultural inclusion: promote minority languages and traditions in schools and media. 
- Economic investment: address poverty and underdevelopment in minority regions. 
- Accountability: investigate and end military campaigns targeting minority groups. 
- International support: strengthen asylum pathways and advocacy for persecuted minorities. 

Until such changes are implemented, Iran’s ethnic and cultural minorities will continue to risk persecution and seek asylum abroad, eroding the nation’s diversity and unity.