The Baluch Right
Iran is home to many ethnic nationalities. They are majorities within their regions and represented by political parties that enjoy significant support: the Baluch in Iran are one of several ethnic nationalities. The ruling elites in Tehran have ignored national diversity in pursuit of nation-building policies. They insist on one state, one language, and one culture, which is not acceptable to the different ethnic nationalities within the state: this is part of the conflict within Iran today.
The centralised, unitary nation-state model adopted by Iran cannot meet the needs of ethnic nationalities in the state: the ethnic oppression has progressed to genocide and ethnic cleansing in Baluchistan, Kurdistan and Arab regions.
The people of Iran have stated that Iran’s government does not represent the people: ethnic nationalities have long noted that the government does not define them; Iran has a long history of institutional discrimination based on religion and ethnicity.
The people of Iran have a right to exercise free will, and the Baluch people have a right to exist without fear of persecution: the government denies the Baluch executive offices; they are massively underrepresented in economic institutions.
The people of Iran have a right to exercise free will, and the Baluch people have a right to exist without fear of persecution. Different ethnic groups have historically played leadership roles within the government. They have held cabinet roles in the Foreign Office, National Security, Police, and the Army. The Baluch have denied these roles within government; they are massively underrepresented in economic institutions.
External self-determination is the last resort for ending ethnic oppression.
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Dear Chair and Forum Members,
Iran is home to many ethnic groups, including the Baluch. However, the Baluch people face ongoing repression and exploitation within the state.
The Iranian regime has unjustly accused and executed members of the Baluch community, actions that can be classified as genocide and warrant investigation by the United Nations.
Baluch minorities represent only 6% of Iran’s total population, yet they accounted for 17% of all executions last year in Iran.
Despite not facing a threat of invasion from Pakistan, Iran has mined the borders in Jalk and Kalgan, which has resulted in the death and injury of innocent civilians. Additionally, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and its local proxies are involved in fuel and drug trafficking.
Madam Chair
The Baluch demand justice and urge the relevant organisations of the United Nations to hold Iran accountable for the atrocities committed by state security forces against them.
The right of a state to territorial integrity should not be absolute or unconditional when that state disregards human lives. The people of Iran have a right to exercise free will, and the Baluch people have a right to exist without fear of persecution and have the right of national self-determination.
I thank you.
Mehrab Sarjov
Mehrab Sarjov's statement during the 18th session of the United Nations Forum on Minority Issues.
Response of the Iranian mission to Mehrab Sarjov's statement during the 18th session of the United Nations Forum on Minority Issues.
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