Ethnic Minorities

Ethnic Minorities

The Alliance for Rights of All Minorities (ARAM) firmly believes in the integrity of Iran’s borders and does not endorse the activities or ideals of separatists. As a human rights organization, ARAM is committed to reporting the experiences of the people. Ethnic minorities constitute about 40% of Iran’s population representing at least one dozen languages and religions (CIA World Fact Book).

Iranian Baluch

Iranian Baluch

Baluch: The Baluch, a mainly Sunni ethnic group with their own distinct language and culture have ties tothe Baluch people of Pakistan. They inhabit a region roughly the size of France, however t...

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Iranian Kurds

Iranian Kurds

The Kurds are an ethnic group with their own unique language, culture and customs. As a people,  they are spread across the Middle East in a geographically contiguous area that spans Iran, Iraq, ...

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Turkish Iranians

Turkish Iranians

Azerbaijani Turks constitute at least one third of the population and speak a Turkish dialect.  Even though Azerbaijani Turks are Shia Muslims and have a history of coexisting with ethnic Pe...

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Iranian Turkmen

Iranian Turkmen

Iranian Turkmen are a traditionally nomadic people, who once lived inmakeshift villages raising sheep, cattle, camels, horses, goats, etc. In recent times, they have become less rooted to this lifesty...

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Lor Iranians

Lor Iranians

The Lors are an ethnic group that are closely related to Kurds yet they have considered themselves separate from them for the past 1,000 years. Although most Lors are Shia Muslim, a significant minori...

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Bakhtiari Iranians

Bakhtiari Iranians

Bakhtiar: The Bachtiar tribe is a subgroup of the Lors.  ShapourBachtiar, the last Prime Minister of Iran under Mohammed Reza Shah Pahlavi, was a member of this tribe that is believed to be the d...

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Refugees

Refugees

Iran hosts the 5th largest population of refugees in the world, ranking only behind Jordan, Turkey, Pakistan and Lebanon. Iran harbors a large number of Afghan refugees in the region. Many of these pe...

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