2025 First Semi-Annual Report

This first semi-annual report by ArcDH covers documentation, advocacy, and follow-up of human rights violations against Azerbaijanis in Iran. These activities are aligned with the Association’s core mission to defend the rights of Azerbaijanis in Iran and to draw the attention of international bodies to systemic discrimination, violations of fundamental freedoms, and structural deprivations.

This report provides an overview of major meetings, statements, international engagements, and documentation submitted to relevant global institutions during the reporting period.

1)  Meeting with the UN Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights in Iran

In July 2025, representatives of ArcDH held a private meeting with Dr. Mai Sato, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Iran, upon invitation from the United Nations.

During this meeting, a comprehensive report was presented regarding Azerbaijani political prisoners held in Tabriz, Evin, and other prisons and detention centers. Issues raised included:

• Lack of access to adequate medical care and essential medicines
• Restrictions or denial of access to independent legal counsel
• Violations of fair trial guarantees
• Frequent use of vague and fabricated charges, such as “acting against national security” and “espionage” against civil and cultural activists.

Additionally, the case files of nine Azerbaijani detainees arrested during the 2022 protests were formally submitted to Dr. Sato for follow-up. This meeting marked an important step in directly conveying the voices of Iranian Azerbaijanis to international authorities.

2)  Submission of a 61-Page Written Report to International Institutions

On August 2, 2025, ArcDH submitted a comprehensive 61-page report to the following institutions:

• UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Iran
• European Parliament
• UN Special Rapporteur on Minority Issues

The report included a dedicated 27-page section on Azerbaijani political prisoners, covering names, case details, conditions of detention, and documented rights violations.

In addition, the report addressed broader issues such as:

• A detailed record of executions and femicides in Azerbaijan,
• Deprivation of mother-tongue education,
• The rights of children and women,
• Environmental destruction and the exploitation of mines and natural resources by state-affiliated entities.

This documentation aimed to strengthen transparency and accountability and to raise awareness within the international community of the grave human rights situation facing Azerbaijanis in Iran.

3)  Responses to the Call for Submissions by the UN Special Rapporteur

In the first half of 2025, ArcDH prepared and submitted two detailed reports to Dr. Mai Sato in response to her public call for information:

• A research-based report on narcotics and addiction in Iranian Azerbaijan, including statistical data and analysis of the government’s failed policies and their impact on youth,
• A report on the humanitarian and social consequences of the 12-day war between the Islamic Republic of Iran and Israel, particularly its repercussions for Azerbaijanis in Iran.

These reports reflected ArcDH’s role in providing reliable, field-based prima facie evidence to international mechanisms.

4)  Report Prepared at the Request of the UN Secretary-General

At the direct request of UN Secretary-General Mr. António Guterres, ArcDH prepared and submitted a detailed report in early July 2025 on systemic discrimination and racism against Azerbaijanis in Iran. The report documented patterns of structural discrimination in education, language rights, employment, and political and cultural representation, highlighting how such discrimination is institutionalized and not limited to isolated incidents. The report is expected to be published in the coming months on the official UN website in New York.

5)  Participation in Human Rights Sessions and the 69th World Conference on Women

ArcDH representatives actively participated in a number of high-level international events in the first half of 2025, including:

• The 69^th UN World Conference on Women (30^th Anniversary of the Beijing Conference) in New York, with a presentation at the panel on women in Iran
• sessions of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva
• participation in a fact-finding committee meeting and consultations with special rapporteurs
• Seven oral interventions were delivered at the 58^th session of the UN Human Rights Council, focusing on human rights of the Azerbaijanis, violations of linguistic and cultural freedoms, and the plight of Azerbaijani political prisoners.

These engagements contributed both to amplifying the voices of the Azerbaijanis in Iran communities in Iran and to building partnerships with other civil society organizations worldwide.

6)  Planned Participation in the 60th Session of the Human Rights Council

As part of its ongoing international advocacy, ArcDH is preparing for active participation in the upcoming 60th session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, scheduled for the second half of 2025. The Association plans to present updated reports, follow up on existing cases, and engage in further dialogue with UN mechanisms.

7)  Conclusion

In the first half of 2025, ArcDH significantly expanded its documentation, advocacy, and outreach activities, establishing a stronger presence in international human rights forums. The Association remains committed to submitting further reports on human rights violations in Iranian Azerbaijan to relevant international bodies and to continuing the follow-up of pending cases.

Furthermore, throughout 2025, ArcDH has issued several public statements and resolutions on various occasions, the most recent of which addressed the 12-day war between Iran and Israel.