Human Rights Watch (HRW) on Friday reported that the Iranian government is systematically targeting the Azeri ethnic minority through the imposition of “abusive” charges and severe prison sentences aimed at silencing dissent.

The crackdown has intensified since October 2024, with at least two dozen Azeri activists imprisoned following unfair trials, according to HRW. These activists have been handed lengthy terms, with sentences ranging from three to 14 years. The charges included “propaganda against the state,” “conspiracy against the country,” and “forming an opposition group against the state.”

HRW further stated that detainees are often denied medical care, held in solitary confinement, and subjected to psychological pressure. HRW’s acting Iran researcher Nahid Naghshbandi characterized these actions as “an attempt to crush civil society and prevent ethnic minorities from demanding their basic rights.”

The human rights organization further stressed that activists face accusations related to advocacy on environmental issues and civil rights, assisting families of protesters killed or injured during the country’s 2022 protests, or involvement in opposition groups. HRW states that Iranian authorities have not presented any real evidence against the Azeri activists.

The Turkic-speaking Azeris are Iran’s largest minority group, primarily residing in the northwest of the country. Historically, ethnic and religious minorities in Iran have faced systemic discrimination and restrictions on their cultural and political activities. Several human rights organizations, including HRW, have previously documented instances of rape, torture, and sexual assault against detainees from the Kurdish, Baluch and Azeri minority regions during Iran’s 2022 protests. Recent reports further indicate a surge in mass arrests, violence, and enforced disappearances targeting various ethnic minority groups, including Azeris.