Iran: Update to IRN28190.E of 19 November 1997 on the treatment in Iran of Azeris (Azaris)

According to the 1998 Lonely Planet Guide publication on Iran, Azeris are related to Turks although, while sharing a common language, they are "divided by religion" (344). Almost all Iranian Azeris are Shi'ite while Turkish Azeris are "predominantly Sunni" (ibid.). In other information:

Tabriz, the main town of the region, is one of the few places in Iran where it is not uncommon to see men wearing ties, still branded un-Islamic and un-Iranian by the central authorities.

After a few years of bad relations, following the Islamic Revolution in Iran, there is now more contact with the republic of Azerbaijan, though private visits by Azaris in either direction are still limited, and have been restricted by border closures in the past (ibid.).

The World Directory of Minorities also reports that Iranian Azeris are predominantly Shi'ite in contrast to those in Turkey who are mainly Sunni (1997, 340). In further information:

Although a distinctive Turkic group linguistically, Azaris have tended to identify with Iran, priding themselves on taking a political lead in national issues. ...

In 1979 most Azaris campaigned against Tehran and Qum for a more secular and more decentralized form of islamic republic, and most boycotted the constitutional referendum at the end of that year. Azari political dissent was crushed in 1980-81. Although there is a distinct Azari consciousness it is unlikely to find nationalist expression, and there is no sign of a desire to reunite with ex-Soviet Azerbaijan. Common Shi'i identity, involvement with the wider economy of Iran and the presence of many Azaris in Tehran all suggest that in the future Azaris are likely to be less interested in ethnic distinctiveness than in seeking to influence state politics, possibly to moderate the nature of the Islamic republic and allow for a more decentralized system of government (ibid.).

However, other sources have reported by Iranian Azeris' interest in issues related to ethnic nationalism (Turan 1 Dec. 1998; RFE/RL Iran Report 19 Apr. 1999; IPS 24 Sept. 1997; Zerkalo 14 July 1999).

In September 1997, IPS reported that

Growing nationalism among the large Azari community, which is concentrated in the northern part of the country, has drawn concern from Teheran which, since the creation of neighboring Azerbaijan in 1991, has denounced Azari leaders as separatists or Turkish spies. In March 1996, central authorities disqualified an Azari candidate from Tabriz from running in parliamentary elections, provoking widespread civil unrest in the regional capital (ibid.).

In late 1997 Sharg news agency reported claims by the Azerbaijani ambassador in Tehran, Elyar Safarli, that there were no Azeri schools in Iran and that despite Khatami's promise to adhere to provisions in the constitution allowing citizens to study in their own language, he had not yet moved in that area (21 Nov. 1997). In 1999, the ex-President of Azerbaijan, Abulfaz Elcibey, made similar claims about the lack of education in Iran in the Azeri language (Turan 22 Apr. 1999) and the National Liberation Movement of Southern Azerbaijan (NLMSA) also claimed "that the Iranian government does not allow the use of Turkic language for teaching, publishing, and broadcasting" (RFE/RL Iran Report 30 Aug. 1999).

In December 1998 Turan news agency reported that a group known as "21 Azer group [had] announced the beginning of an active fight for the political rights of ethnic Azeris in Iran" with the goal of creating a nation state and freeing Azeris from "Persian supremacy" (1 Dec. 1998).

RFE/RL Iran Report reported on 19 April 1999 claims by the National Liberation Movement of Southern Azerbaijab and the Turkic National Party that "a state of emergency has been declared in the towns of Urumieh, Zanjan, and Tabriz by the Iranian government." RFE/RL Iran Report added that:

None of these allegations can be as yet independently confirmed. Also, suggestions that Iranian Azeris seek unification or a greater Azerbaijan are questionable. Although the unemployment rate in Iran is high (11-20 percent), it is at least as high in Azerbaijan (20 percent). And now that predictions of vast Azerbaijani oil wealth seem like a pipe dream in light of low oil prices and a suddenly uneconomic pipeline, the attraction has diminished even more. All the same, Iran's central government seems aware of the potential for unrest in the northwestern, predominantly Azeri provinces.

There is a conscious effort, therefore, to show a substantive interest in the region. When President Mohammad Khatami visited East Azerbaijan Province in November, he spoke of it as the "industrial pole of the country," where agriculture, industry, services and non-oil exports already play a part and tourism and will soon do so. And the opening of the large "Pars Chlorine" factory in Tabriz was publicized by IRNA and attended by several cabinet members. Developments in West Azerbaijan Province got almost as much coverage, although Khatami did not actually go there (ibid.).

Yeni Musavat reported that Khatami met with Azeri Majlis MPs on 9 January 2001 and that "he was deeply concerned about the social and economic standards of our compatriots in the south. Mohammad Khatami and the MPs discussed urgent measures for the improvement of the socio-economic situation. He promised to tackle the issues raised at the meeting as soon as possible and improve the living standards of Azeris" (11 Jan. 2001). An Azeri represntative linked Khatami's promises to the February elections and claimed that he had "done nothing significant in three years" (ibid.).

The following describes various incidents involving Azeris in Iran, primarily in 1999 and 2000.

At the time of the July 1999 student demonstrations, "a Baku-based nationalist ... said that ethnic Azeris in northern Iran should form an independent 'third force' in the current unrest in support of reform in Iran" (Zerkalo 14 July 1999). Boyukbey Rasuloglu claimed that Azeris in Tabriz were "suspicious of some pro-Khatami supporters who would not necessarily guarantee the national rights of minorities such as ethnic Azeris" (ibid.).

Sources have reported various claims concerning the arrest of Azeris in Iran: those made by the NLMSA that 300 Azeris were arrested in February 1999 in Tabriz (Millat 20 Mar. 1999); those made by the United Azerbaijan Association that 150-200 people were arrested in Tabriz in January 2000 during a rally, although an Iranian official denied that the rally took place (ANS TV 7 Jan. 2000; RFE/RL Iran Report 10 Jan. 2000). Piruz Dilenchi, cited as head of the NLMSA, claimed that 7,000 people rallied in support of "their national rights" and that shooting resulted in 50 people being injured (ibid.). This source also noted that there had been reports of "mass arrests" in Tabriz since 11 December 1999 as well as statements by Dilenchi: "We will split up Iran and will liberate our territory occupied by Iran" (ibid.).

On 3 May 1999 Ganimat Zahidov (Zakhidov), editor of the Azerbaijan newspaper Express, was detained by Iranian authorities in Astara, a town on the Iran-Azerbaijan border (RSF/IFEX 7 May 1999; RFE/RL 11 May 1999; Turan 6 May 1999). Sources reported that the reason for his detention was his meeting with Mahmudali Chehragani (Chakhragani/Chehregani/Johragani), a professor at Tabriz university and a representative of Iran's Azeri community (Turan 7 May 1999; RFE/RL 7 May 1999). Iranian officials alleged that Zahidov "was smuggling a pair of binoculars, but they also confiscated his tapes of the interview with Chehragani" (ibid.). Authorities also denied that he had been arrested, but rather claimed that he was "detained ... on a case of mistaken identity" (RFE/RL 10 May 1999; ibid 17 May 1999). Turan reported on 10 May 1999 that Zahidov returned to Baku on 9 May 1999. At a press conference on 10 May 1999 Zahidov claimed that he had been detained by Iranian intelligence agents who tried to enlist him in an assassination attempt on former Azerbaijan president Abulfaz Elchibey (RFE/RL 11 May 1999; ANS TV 11 May 1999).

There have been numerous reports in 1999 and 2000 concerning Chehragani. Various sources have described him as a leader of the NLMSA (RFE/RL 12 Jan. 2000; 525 gazet 17 Aug. 2000; Zerkalo 20 Jan. 2000). On 19 April 1999 RFE/RL Iran Report referred to his

house arrest ... and the arrest of people demonstrating in Tabriz on his behalf. Chehragani was declared ineligible for the February municipal council elections and he was previously banned from parliamentary elections, according to Azerbaijani sources, because he advocates teaching and learning Azeri Turkish. Baku's Zerkalo reported on 12 April that Chehragani was beaten up by Armenian youngsters 'with the consent of authorities'."

Following the endorsing of election results in the provinces of East and West Azerbaijan, RFE/RL Iran Report wrote that Iran's Ambassador to Baku had denied that Chehragani had been placed under house arrest as well as "allegations of martial law in towns predominantly settled by Azeris" (3 May 1999).

Describing demonstrations in Tabriz in July 1999, Chehragani stated in an interview with RFE/RL's Azerbaijani Service that there was an ethnic aspect, that the demonstrators started at the university, and that "offices and banks were attacked and government vehicles destroyed" (19 July 1999). Chehragani said Azeris in Tabriz want recognition of their national rights under the constitution including those providing for "regional and tribal languages in mass media and for teaching" (ibid.; AI 24 May 2000).

Noting that Chehragani had not been permitted to run in the previous parliamentary election, Yeni Musavat reported his intention to run in the 2000 elections (29 Nov. 1999). The newspaper reported his claims that he and his family had been attacked and that "human rights are being trampled on and the Iranian authorities do not want to recognize the nation's cultural rights" (ibid.). The publication also noted that the Baku office of the NLMSA had been closed following the signing of a bilateral agreement between Iran and Azerbaijan on the extradition of criminals (ibid.).

During an interview with RFE/RL's Azeri service, Chehragani claimed in December 1999 that "his supporters were arrested and threatened with torture by Iran's Ministry of Intelligence and Security" and that while he wanted to be a candidate in the February 2000 elections he believed it would not be allowed (13 Dec. 1999). According to RFE/RL, the NLMSA "has made a great deal of the supposed persecution of Chehragani"; it reported the organization's allegations in mid-October that Chehragani had been arrested by the Tabriz Ministry of Intelligence and Security, despite his statements to the contrary (ibid.). Chehragani was reported as having said that his passport had been confiscated and that he had been denied medical services (ibid.).

Since January 2000 reports on Chehragani have included claims by the NLMSA that he had been removed from a Tabriz hospital on the orders of the Iranian secret service (ANS TV 5 Jan. 2000); threats by the NLMSA that its members would "storm Iranian embassies around the world and take diplomats hostage" if Chehragani was not released (Zerkalo 9 Feb. 2000); and the arrests, according to the NLMSA and the United Azerbaijani Movement, of 50 of his supporters in Ardabil (RFE/RL Iran Report 14 Feb. 2000).

Amnesty International reported on 24 May 2000 that Chehragani had been prevented from registering as a candidate for the Majles after "he was first arrested by agents of the Ministry of Intelligence in December 1999." The organization described him as a prisoner of conscience and stated its belief that he had "been imprisoned to suppress the non-violent expression of his" beliefs (ibid.). With regard to his arrest, Zerkalo reported on 9 February 2000 that Chehragani's case had been under "examination" by an Islamic Revolutionary Court for more than a month in relation to charges of "separatist activities in Tabriz, having contacts abroad and receiving smuggled goods from Baku." On 19 February 2000 Turan news agency reported that he had been sentenced to six months imprisonment. Amnesty International also reported the six month sentence and both sources included reports that he faced 10 years imprisonment if he did not pay a US$20,000 fine (24 May 2000; Turan 19 Feb. 2000). Amnesty International reported the charges against him as having included "smuggling shampoo" and that he was in "critical condition" in a Tabriz prison clinic after having begun a hunger strike on 19 May 2000 (24 May 2000). Amnesty International reported that he had been released early on 27 July 2000 because of ill health (31 Aug. 2000).

There are also reports that other Azeris were sentenced to imprisonment in 2000; the Research Directorate was unable to find additional information and/or corroborating information on these reports within the time constraints of this Response (Turan 13 mar. 2000; Yeni Musavat 25 Jan. 2001).

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.

References

525 gazet [Baku, in Azeri]. 17 August 2000. "Iranian Azeri Dissident Hopes to Welcome Aliyev, 'President of all Azeris'." (BBC Worldwide 17 Aug. 2000/NEXIS)

Amnesty International. 31 August 2000. Further Information on Medical Letter Writing Action: Health Concern Mahmudali Chehregani. (AI Index: MDE 13/23/00). London: Amnesty International.

_____. 24 May 2000. Urgent Action; Health Concern/Unfair Trial: Dr. Mahmudali Chehregani, Aged 58. (AI Index: MDE 13/11/00). London: Amnesty International.

ANS TV [Baku, in Azeri]. 7 January 2000. "Police Arrest About 150 in Ethnic Unrest in Northern Iran, Azeriindependent TV." (BBC Worldwide 7 Jan. 2000/NEXIS)

_____. 5 January 2000. "(Corr) Ethnic Azeri Dissident in Iran Denied Treatment on Secretservice Orders." (BBC Worldwide 6 Jan. 2000/NEXIS)

_____. 11 May 1999. "Azeri Journalist on Iranian Recruitment Allegation." (BBC Worldwide 12 May 1999/NEXIS)

Inter Press Service (IPS). 24 September 1997. Jim Lobe. "Iran-Rights: Khatami Urged to End Discrimination of Minorities." (NEXIS)

Iran: A Travel Survival Kit. May 1998. Paul Greenway and David St. Vincent. Victoria: Lonely Planet.

Millat [Baku, in Azeri]. 20 March 1999. (Refile) "Azeri Authorities Dancing to Iran's Tune, Opposition Paper." (BBC Worldwide 24 Mar. 1999/NEXIS)

Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (FRE/RL). 12 January 2000. "Azerbaijani President Comments on Unrest in Tabriz." (Middle East News Items/NEXIS)

RFE/RL Iran Report [Prague]. 14 February 2000. Bill Samii. Vol. 3, No. 7. "Campaigns in Tabriz, Ardabil, and Isfahan ... "

_____. 10 January 2000. Bill Samii. Vol. 3, No. 2. "Shootings in Tabriz?"

_____. 13 December 1999. Bill Samii. Vol. 2, No. 49. "Tehran Cracks Down on Azerbaijanis of Iran."

_____. 30 August 1999. Bill Samii. Vol. 2, No. 34. "New Statistics on 'Minorities'."

_____. 19 July 1999. Bill Samii. Vol. 2, No. 29. "Demonstrations in the Provinces."

_____. 17 May 1999. Bill Samii. Vol. 2, No. 20. "Azerbaijani Journalist Released."

_____. 3 May 1999. Bill Samii. Vol. 2, No. 18. "Council Election Result and Tehran Mayor."

_____. 19 April 1999. Bill Samii. Vol. 2, No. 16. "Azerbaijani Concern About Iranian Azeris."

RFE/RL Newsline. 11 May 1999. "Azerbaijani Journalist Gives Varying Explanations of Detention in Iran." (NEXIS)

_____. 10 May 1999. "Iranian Customs Denies Detaining Azerbaijani Journalist." (NEXIS)

_____. 7 May 1999. "Azerbaijani Opposition Protests Journalist's Arrest in Iran." (NEXIS)

RSF/IFEX, Toronto. 7 May 1999. "Editor-in-Chief Arrested." [Accessed 10 May 1999]

Sharg News Agency [Baku, in Russian]. 21 November 1997. "Azerbaijan and Iran Sign Economic Cooperation Accord." (BBC Summary 26 Nov. 1997/NEXIS)

Turan News Agency [Baku, in Russian]. 13 March 2000. "Some 300 Supporters of Azeri Dissident in Iran Receive Sentences." (BBC Worldwide 14 Mar. 2000/NEXIS)

_____. 19 February 2000. "Court Sentences Azeri Dissident in Iran to Six Months' Imprisonment." (BBC Worldwide 19 Feb. 2000/NEXIS)

_____. 10 May 1999. "Iran Releases Detained Azeri Journalist." (BBC Worldwide 10 May 1999/NEXIS)

_____. 6 May 1999. "Azeri Journalist Unions Protest Iran's Detention of Newspaper Editor." (BBC Worldwide 7 May 1999/NEXIS)

_____. 21 April 1999. "Azeri Opposition Calls for Cultural Autonomy for Ethnic Azeris in Iran." (BBC Worldwide 22 Apr. 1999/NEXIS)

_____. 1 December 1998. "Azerbaijan: Group Announces 'Active Fight' for Rights of Azeris in Iran." (FBIS-SOV-98-336 2 Dec. 1998/WNC)

World Directory of Minorities. 1997. Harlow, Essex: Longman Group UK.

Yeni Musavat [Baku, in Azeri]. 25 January 2001. "Rights Body Asks Amnesty International to Help Imprisoned Ethnic Azeris in Iran." (BBC Worldwide 25 Jan. 2001/NEXIS)

_____. 11 January 2001. "Iranian President's Promise to Ethnic Azeris Are Election Ploy - Dissident." (BBC Worldwide 11 Jan. 2001/NEXIS)

_____. 29 November 1999. "Iran-Based Ethnic Azeri Activist to Run in Parliamentary Elections." (BBC Worldwide 29 Nov. 1999/NEXIS)

Zerkalo [Baku, in Russian]. 9 February 2000. "Iranian Emigrés Demand Release of Azeri Dissident, Threatening to Storm Embassy." (BBC Worldwide 9 Feb. 2000/NEXIS)

_____. 20 January 2000. "Paper Questions Role of Ethnic Azeri Dissident in Iran." (BBC Worldwide/NEXIS)

_____. 14 July 1999. "Azeris in Iran Should Act as 'Third Independent Force'." (BBC Worldwide 14 July 1999/NEXIS)