Julfa, Iran — August 28, 2025
A family in South Azerbaijan has been denied the right to register their newborn son under the name Alikhan, after civil registry officials in the city of Julfa refused to issue a birth certificate. The case has reignited outrage over restrictions on Turkic names in Iran.
According to the father, the child was born on June 2, but more than 85 days later, the family still has no official documents because authorities claimed the name is not included in the state registry and is of “Turkic-Arabic origin.” Without a birth certificate, the baby cannot receive vaccinations or basic medical care, putting his health at risk.
This is not an isolated case. Ethnic minorities in Iran, especially Azerbaijani Turks, have long faced restrictions on using their traditional names. The controversy has already sparked the “My Child’s Name” campaign, which has gathered more than 15,700 signatures demanding an end to the ban.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian previously responded to the public outcry, ordering the National Civil Registry Office to review existing rules and remove discriminatory restrictions. Yet families continue to report denials, raising doubts about the implementation of the president’s directive.
Experts warn that such practices not only violate international human rights standards but also contradict Iran’s own constitution, which guarantees equal rights for all citizens regardless of ethnicity.
