Tehran, Iran – The Organization for Defending Victims of Violence (ODVV) has raised urgent concerns over the suspension of the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) in Iran. This move affects thousands of students, scholars, and professionals, creating significant barriers to higher education and international opportunities.
The testing authority cited “financial and regulatory constraints beyond control,” but ODVV notes that this explanation lacks transparency and leaves Iranian candidates with no domestic option to take the exam. As a result, students must travel abroad, incurring heavy financial and logistical burdens.
ODVV emphasizes that this suspension violates internationally recognized rights, including the right to education, freedom of movement, and the right to work, while disproportionately affecting less affluent individuals. The full details and analysis are outlined in a letter submitted to the UN Special Rapporteurs, available in PDF format.
