The Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD), a group of 18 independent rights experts, said Iran lacked data on the numbers of ethnic minorities despite a census in 2007, but the participation of such people in public life appeared to be lower than could be expected.
Several armed groups opposed to the government are active in Iran, mostly made up of ethnic Kurds in the northwest, Baluch in the southeast and Arabs in the southwest.
"The Committee expresses concern at the limited enjoyment of political, economic, social and cultural rights by... Arab, Azeri, Balochi, Kurdish communities and some communities of non-citizens," it said in a report on a regular review of Iran's compliance with a 1969 international treaty banning racism.
The Committee also found discrimination is "rampant" against Baha'is -- a minority whose faith the Shi'ite govt considers a heretical offshoot of Islam -- committee member Dilip Lahiri said.
It also urged Iran to continue its efforts to empower women and promote their rights, paying particular attention to women belonging to ethnic minorities.
Reuters – All minorities in Iran on Wikipedia -baluchi.wordpress.com
Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination - Early-Warning Measures and Urgent Procedures