Separatism in Iran
Various separatists movements in Iran / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
There are several separatist movements in Iran, most of which are associated with a particular minority ethnic group. Iran is a highly diverse country: in 2015, it was estimated that Persians―Iran's dominant ethnic group―only made up about 61% of the Iranian population.[1]
Some researchers believe that Iran's ethnic divisions present a viable threat to the country. They argue that the economically disenfranchisement of ethnic minorities, combined with policies to limit political, social, and cultural rights, promote further unrest.[2][3] A 2005 report by Amnesty International found that Iranian government supported policies that economically disenfranchised ethnic minorities and limit their political, social, and cultural rights.[3] Brenda Shaffer contends that ethnic divisions are a driving force behind the Mahsa Amini protests.[4]
Other researchers argue that the ethnic divide in Iran is overstated, pointing to a study which found that many people in Iran identify with more than one ethnic group.[5][6]