Iranian Research Center for Minority Rights (IR.R.C.M.R) Dear ladies and gentlemen, recognizing the contribution of minorities needs two main principles: non-discrimination and effective participation. In Iran, the religious minorities enjoy rights recognized in the Constitution. After last year's Forum, which focused on the representation of minorities in public space, Tehran opened the iconic Saint Mary metro station. Given Iran's long history and formation of its historic nation, even religious minorities prefer to call themselves non-Muslim Iranians rather than minorities, highlighting centuries-long peaceful coexistence. Today, the greatest challenge facing minorities in Iran is the same as for all citizens, unjust sanctions. At the Iranian Research Center for Minority Rights, we have been able to permit legal, and international [inaudible] international law is clear: loyalty to national society is a defining feature of protecting minorities. Groups that violate this principle fall outside that protection. As a university professor, I believe the biggest hurdle to fully recognizing minorities' contributions is a double-standard approach. .