In this regard,3 Iran does not explicitly prohibit the issuance of licenses for publications written
in languages other than Persian and a number of publications have been authorised, including in
Kurdish, Turkish and Arabic.4
However, the terms and conditions stipulated in order to request a publishing license are
restricted. For example: the applicant must "lack of a reputation for corruption and should not
have a criminal conviction".5 Iranian authorities, including security organisations, have been
repressing minority languages publications and cultural associations.6 7 8 Consequently, due to
the vague wording of the restrictions to obtain a licence, and in the light of the Iranian
authorities’ hostility towards minority language publications, members of ethnic minorities may
face difficulties to obtain publication licences.
The Islamic Republic of Iran has not taken steps to ensure the full and unrestricted enjoyment by
ethnic minorities, including Kurds, Arabs, Azeris and Baluch, to their right to take part in
cultural life, including through the protection of publications and newspapers in minority
languages from imposed closure.
B. The Committee also recommends that the Islamic Republic of Iran take measures to
protect cultural diversity, promote awareness of the cultural heritage of national
and ethnic minorities, and ensure favourable conditions for members of those
minorities to preserve, develop, express and disseminate their identity, history,
culture, language, traditions and customs in line with the Committee’s general
comment No. 21 (2009) on the right of everyone to take part in cultural life.
Arabs, Azerbaijani Turks, Balochis and Kurds face targeted discriminations on the basis of their
identity and are generally side-lined from general public services, including education and health
care. 9
For instance, the use of minority languages is effectively restricted under the Constitution,
notably in school where the teaching in a minority language is only permitted for literature
classes.10 The Ministry of Education has reportedly circulated reminders to teachers and school
3
https://press.farhang.gov.ir/fa/rules/laws2
http://www.tabnakilam.ir/fa/print/709752
5
www.khabaronline.ir/news/360380
6
AHRAZ, https://tbinternet.ohchr.org/Treaties/CRC/Shared%20Documents/IRN/INT_CRC_NGO_IRN_19735_E.pdf
7
Centre for the Supporters of Human Rights, https://en.cshr.org.uk/2017/06/27/human-rights-2/
8
Minority Rights Group, https://minorityrights.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Rights-Denied-Violations-against-ethnic-andreligious-minorities-in-Iran.pdf
9
Minority Groups, https://minorityrights.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Rights-Denied-Violations-against-ethnic-andreligious-minorities-in-Iran.pdf
10
Article 15, The Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran, English translation, https://irandataportal.syr.edu/wpcontent/uploads/constitution-engliash-1368.pdf
4
2