Even as the children of mullahs, government officials and the rich are leading a life full of luxury, there is a large segment of non-Persian people and minorities in Iran who are living in abject poverty. There is a clear disparity in society and lack of justice among this strata, increasing concern and anger among them. The ongoing economic crisis in Iran, brought about by its own policies of oppression and marginalization, has led to adverse social consequences. These poverty-stricken people are even going to the extent of selling their children and infants in various Iranian cities to survive. In view of the high poverty rate, Iranian parliament members have warned against the spread of this phenomenon in the country. This acute poverty is being faced by large segments of society across the country. In the streets of Tehran and other big cities, there are banners put up announcing "people for sale." It is further shocking that children are announced as being available for lower prices. But this seems to be the only way for these people to go around their poverty, which is rampant in many parts of the country. According to the Iranian parliament website, parliament members have spoken about this growing phenomenon. They have demanded an end to this growing ‘business', and punishment for those pursuing this degrading trade. But the Iranian mullahs and politicians appear to be disinterested in solving this problem because they themselves are alleged to be involved in this lucrative racket. Bahman Taheri, a Parliament Judicial Committee member, has said that the sale of children in Iran has become a dangerous phenomenon and a profitable trade which is not punishable under Iranian law. It shows that the rulers are themselves behind it. The trafficking in children has reached such a point that even unborn children are pre-sold. Their prices are decided even as they are just conceived, Iranian Vice President for Women and Family Affairs Shahindakht Mulawardi has revealed. The head of social affairs in Tehran, Sioucheh Shahrior, has demanded that poor, displaced women and men should be given injections to keep them infertile. He sees this as a solution to prevent the rising number of street children and the problem of selling them. She has said that poverty-stricken women give birth to children as in a hatchery, with the ultimate goal being prostitution. Iranian reports have revealed that the country's officials were also involved in the racket. They have pointed out that these children are sold at low prices, ranging from 30 to 60 dollars. Poor, homeless women living in the streets sell their babies directly from the hospital soon after their birth. A report in a news website, Asr Iran, has tracked one such hospital on Mouluvi Street in the heart of Tehran. The hospital has opened a dedicated market for the sale and purchase of children. It revealed that the hospital has the support of mullahs and senior officials in the Iranian regime. Large groups of non-Persians and minorities in Iran suffer from various diseases due to deprivation and systematic marginalization. They cannot afford medical treatment. Many are simply waiting to die – surely a blot on the central authority in Tehran. In the border regions and provinces, particularly those which are close to Iraq, poverty levels are even higher. Official Iranian statistics reveal that about 11 million of the 80 million people live below the poverty line. Most of them are Ahwazi Arabs, Baloch and Kurds, said Parviz Fattah. He said that 11 million citizens are unable to provide basic needs such as food, housing, education, health, and transportation. The discrimination of minorities, leading to a large, hungry and disgruntled group, may even lead to a revolt against the state. The danger to the regime is particularly real because the Iranian constitution guarantees a decent life for every citizen. But the regime has given the impression that the constitution does not apply to non-Persians. How long can these discriminated people hold back their anger?.
