From Melting Pot to Pressure Cooker: Iran Protests and the Ethnic Minorities
Iran is a not just a political state, but a historic civilization that long has held up its ethnic diversity. However, the Persian majority dominates the country and discriminates socially and systematically against its minorities, particularly large segments such as Turks, Kurds, Baluch, and Arabs. The recent Iran protests have pushed these groups to their limits — and the breaking point may arrive soon.
Iran’s ethnic minorities are the victims of historic neglect and mistreatment. Although economic deprivation is widespread across Iran, many believe that ethnic regions have suffered from institutionalized neglect practiced by the regime. Indeed, the statistics reveal a startling reality.
Nationwide, the unemployment rate stands at 12.42%. Compare that to unemployment among Iranian Kurdish population at over 60% in 2017, close to 50% in certain areas of Arab populated Ahvaz, and 44% for the Baluch Iranians. One third of the Iranian population live below the poverty linewhere representatives of ethnic populations estimate a 50% rate for their respective groups.
Iran is a not just a political state, but a historic civilization that long has held up its ethnic diversity. However, the Persian majority dominates the country and discriminates socially and systematically against its minorities, particularly large segments such as Turks, Kurds, Baluch, and Arabs. The recent Iran protests have pushed these groups to their limits — and the breaking point may arrive soon.
Iran’s ethnic minorities are the victims of historic neglect and mistreatment. Although economic deprivation is widespread across Iran, many believe that ethnic regions have suffered from institutionalized neglect practiced by the regime. Indeed, the statistics reveal a startling reality.
Nationwide, the unemployment rate stands at 12.42%. Com
ion is widespread across Iran, many believe that ethnic regions have suffered from institutionalized neglect practiced by the regime. Indeed, the statistics reveal a startling reality.
Nationwide, the unemployment rate stands at 12.42%. Compare that to unemployment am
pare that to unemployment among Iranian Kurdish popula