دیرنیش
Awakened consciences of the free world and impartial human rights organizations,
Unfortunately, as the Islamic Republic Regime of Iran sinks deeper into economic and political crises and loses its legitimacy among its citizens and on the international stage as a criminal and corrupt regime, it intensifies its repression of political, human rights, cultural, and environmental activists. The regime seeks to prolong its rule through force and violence. The suppression of intellectuals and political-social activists is a common characteristic of all dictatorial and undemocratic regimes. However, none of these regimes have managed to escape their bitter downfall by resorting to such methods.
Currently, in Iran, any dissenting or critical voice is harshly silenced. Labor activists, women’s rights advocates, freedom of belief defenders, LGBTQ+ rights activists, environmental activists, and other civil society activists are not spared from the violence of the Islamic Republic’s regime.
Meanwhile, activists advocating for the rights of oppressed nations in Iran, including Turkic activists in South Azerbaijan and other regions of Iran, face the highest levels of state repression and violence. Many Turkic activists have been sentenced to harsh punishments by non-transparent and unjust courts on fabricated charges, without the right to defend themselves. They are currently imprisoned under the Islamic Republic’s rule. Among them are Abdulaziz Azimi Qadim, Taher Naqavi, Vudud Asadi, Morteza Parvin, Ayaz Seyfkhah, Araz Aman, and Baqer Hajizadeh.
Reports indicate that Abdulaziz Azimi Qadim, who is held in Tehran’s Evin prison, has gone on a hunger strike in protest against the unjust actions of Iran’s judicial system. As a result, prison authorities have denied him the right to communicate with his family via phone. It has also been reported that due to his deteriorating health, he has been transferred to the prison infirmary. His family and loved ones have expressed deep concern for his well-being.
Additionally, dozens of Azerbaijani Turkic activists have been arrested on similar charges and released temporarily on heavy bail. Their legal cases are still ongoing, and each of them could face severe punishments. Many of the arrested activists have testified that they were subjected to physical and psychological torture, including beatings by government agents during detention and interrogation.
In recent days, Ms. Mai Sato, the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in Iran, has highlighted the widespread human rights violations and suppression of Azerbaijani activists in her report. She has called on the international community to take urgent action to stop the crackdown on civil and political freedoms in Iran. Similarly, Human Rights Watch has expressed concern over the repression of Azerbaijani activists and, in its report, emphasized that the Islamic Republic regime is trying to dismantle civil society and prevent ethnic groups from demanding their fundamental rights.
We, the Azerbaijani, Qashqai and Turkmen Sahra parties and organizations signing this statement, strongly condemn the repressive and violent policies of the Islamic Republic of Iran. We draw the attention of the free world, particularly human rights organizations, to the widespread human rights violations and the violent suppression of political and civil activists in South Azerbaijan and other regions of Iran.
We call on the international community and human rights institutions to pressure the Islamic Republic to end these inhumane actions. Undoubtedly, ensuring fundamental freedoms in Iran and putting an end to the Islamic Republic regime’s violations of human dignity will be a significant step toward achieving peace and stability in the Middle East and across the world.
Signatory Organizations:
– Azerbaijan Center Party – AMP
– Azerbaijan Democratic Party – ADP
– Azerbaijan Democracy and Development Association
– Azerbaijan National Resistance Organization – ANRO
– Qashqai Freedom Path Party – Qayı
– South Azerbaijan Democratic Party – GADP
– Turkmen Sahra Cultural and Political Organization
March 17, 2025