The minorities in Iran are being insulted constantly, in various walks of life and, especially, in the programs being broadcasted by television and radio channels, including the state-run ones. Also, they face restrictions and discrimination when compared to the other major groups that are present in Iran. Younathan Betkolia came out in the open against the insults directed at the minorities.
The situation is worse as the Iranian community pressures them and other people who do not practice Islam, as they are not able to gain admission to universities with ease. Younathan Betkolia, Secretary General of the Assyrian Universal Alliance and the representative of Assyrinas in the Parliament of Iran, said that the insults should be stopped and there must be equality among the various religious groups in Iran.
Betkolia has publicly asked Ezzatollah Zarghami, the Head of IRIB (Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting) to look into these insults and stop them, so that there is no discrimination made at least on the state-run television and radio channels.
He has also requested that the Cultural and Islamic Guidance Ministry take adequate steps so that there would be no license or certifications granted to the books that have objectionable or insulting content targeting minority groups of Iran. This would significantly bring down the insults being made, and minority groups would be safeguarded against the discrimination happening.
While at a session in Maljis, Younathan Betkolia said that Assyrians are not being hired easily in various organizations. These organizations are both government and non-government run, and the executive managers are responsible for the discrimination caused. As a result of this discrimination, Assyrian people migrate to other regions for better job opportunities and they do not generally come back to Iran.
But the shady aspect is that, as per the Constitution of the Republic of Iran, even minority communities enjoy equal constitutional rights on par with the majority groups of Iran. The condition of Assyrians should be reviewed by Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the President of Iran, as per the recommendations of various activists.