In a somber portrait of repression, Human Rights Watch reports that Iranian authorities have meted out severe prison sentences to over two dozen Azeri activists since October 2024, many without substantial evidence. The Azeris, comprising Iran’s largest ethnic minority, continue to face systemic persecution as Tehran’s appeals court recently affirmed lengthy sentences for ten activists, handed down by a controversial judge on charges including ‘propaganda against the state’ and ‘espionage’. These sentences range from 3 to 14 years, striking fear into the hearts of those who dare to dissent.
Among those sentenced, Ayaz Seifkhah received the harshest punishment of 14 years, with others facing similar fates for their involvement in peaceful activism concerning environmental and civil rights issues. Notably, some activists have been imprisoned since February 2024, countering government narratives with silent protests against their unjust treatment, yet few have secured their immediate release.
Human Rights Watch has documented obstructions to healthcare among detainees, spotlighting the plight of lawyer Taher Naghavi. Currently in Evin Prison, he suffers from significant medical neglect, with authorities ignoring urgent recommendations for MRI scans amid a dire health crisis, casting a shadow on their overall treatment of detainees.
In a related scenario, additional Azeri activists have faced unjust accusations and psychological pressure while in solitary confinement, battling fabricated stories of conspiratorial activities. Their advocacy for civil rights and minority rights puts them in direct opposition to the state, underscoring the risks inherent in standing up against systemic injustices in Iran.
Adding to the grim narrative, Seyed Mohammadreza Faqihi, another Azeri lawyer, has been sentenced to five years for his role in peaceful protests, revealing a broader crackdown on legal representatives of dissenters. As dissenters are branded as separatists and conspirators, the Iranian government’s actions raise urgent calls for justice and recognition of basic human rights, insisting that authorities cease their relentless targeting of advocates for minority rights.
Iranian authorities have sentenced over two dozen Azeri activists to severe prison terms since October 2024 without substantial evidence. The Tehran appeals court has upheld lengthy sentences from 3 to 14 years against 10 activists, highlighting systemic repression against this largest ethnic minority. Health neglect among detainees and arrests based on unfounded charges further emphasise the hazard of advocating for civil rights in Iran.
The ongoing repression of the Azeri minority in Iran, highlighted by severe prison sentences and healthcare neglect, raises alarming concerns about human rights and civil liberties. Activists are enduring harsh penalties for their peaceful advocacy, with many facing baseless charges. Human Rights Watch emphasizes the need for the Iranian government to acknowledge the rights of ethnic minorities and cease this systemic abuse, allowing citizens to express their demands for justice and equity freely.
Original Source: www.hrw.org
