Kurdish and Azerbaijani human rights groups have strongly condemned a recent state-organised demonstration in Urmia, which saw anti-Kurdish slogans, threats of violence, and displays of extremist nationalist sentiment.

They urged residents, political groups, and civil society in Urmia to help de-escalate tensions and resist provocations by the Islamic Republic of Iran and extremist factions.

The full text of the statement signed by the Association for the Defence of Azerbaijani Political Prisoners in Iran (ADAPP), Kurdistan Human Rights Association, Kurdistan Human Rights Network (KHRN) and Kurdpa Human Rights Organisation reads as follows:

“On 18 March, Kurdish civilians of Urmia (Orumiyeh) held a Newroz celebration in the city. Tens of thousands of people marked the occasion by lighting fires, dancing, and rejoicing in the arrival of the new year.

A few days later, on 22 March, thousands of Azerbaijani Turkic civilians of Urmia took part in a state-organised demonstration commemorating the martyrdom anniversary of the first Shia Imam. However, the event was overshadowed by religious and extreme nationalist sentiments.

During the demonstration, which was held in the presence of government officials and supported by police forces, a significant number of participants carried clubs and chanted “Heydar, Heydar” (a religious chant commonly associated with Shia Islam), while holding banners containing explicit anti-Kurdish messages and hate speech.

Some protesters, who openly declared their allegiance to Iran’s Supreme Leader, threatened Kurdish civilians with massacre. Others carried images of Gholamreza Hassani, the former Friday prayer leader and representative of the Supreme Leader in Urmia, who was notorious for his anti-Kurdish stance and for advocating the killing of Kurds.

As human rights organisations from both Kurdistan and Azerbaijan, we strongly condemn any form of hate speech, incitement to violence, or discrimination, such as what was witnessed in Urmia on 22 March. We firmly believe in peaceful coexistence among all communities and uphold the fundamental rights of all individuals, including the right to hold political gatherings and cultural and social events.

We categorically reject any action that endangers the security and peace of any group of civilians or that promotes or threatens violence against others. Urmia, as a multi-ethnic and multicultural city, belongs to all its residents, including Azerbaijanis, Kurds, Armenians, Assyrians, and other communities. We warn against any attempt by the Islamic Republic to exploit religious, linguistic, or ethnic differences to fuel tension, conflict, and division. Instead, we emphasise the need to uphold peaceful coexistence, mutual respect, and social harmony.

Undoubtedly, the people of Urmia and the wider region have not forgotten the tragedy of the Naqadeh war in the spring of 1979, during which large numbers of Kurdish and Azerbaijani civilians were killed. At the time, the newly established Islamic Republic took full advantage of the conflict to mobilise forces, deepen religious and ethnic divides, and perpetuate violence. We must not allow this regime – whose survival depends on crises and division – to create the conditions for an even greater tragedy.

As human rights organisations representing Kurdistan and Azerbaijan, we call on all the people of Urmia, as well as political parties, civil society groups, professional associations, and cultural organisations in both Kurdistan and Azerbaijan, to make every effort to de-escalate tensions in Urmia, and to take a firm stand against the Islamic Republic’s provocations and the incitement of extremist violent factions, regardless of their political or ideological affiliations.

Urmia must not be allowed to become a battleground for extremist religious and nationalist forces, a breeding ground for violence against civilians, or a platform for spreading hatred and division.”