Congress of Azerbaijanis of the World demands respect of national rights in Iran

On September 8, the Baku-based "Park Inn" Hotel hosted a conference "National Movement of South Azerbaijan", organizer by the Congress of Azerbaijanis of the World (CAW). The event was on the problem of ensuring national rights of ethnic Azerbaijanis in Iran.

The participants of the conference spoke about the history of the national movement of the South (that is, Iranian, - comment of the "Caucasian Knot") Azerbaijan, about the present situation in Iran and about the problems faced by the movement.

"In Iran, Azerbaijani language, education and press are under ban. Therefore, the parliament of the Azerbaijani Republic, media, political parties and NGOs should rise in defence of the rights of our compatriots in South Azerbaijan," said Sabit Rustamkhanly, co-chairman of the CAW and local MP.

According to his story, the world community should not be a viewer from aside of the violations of Azerbaijanis' national rights in Iran.

At the same time, Mr Rustamkhanly called the western countries not to use the "language of force", when talking to Iran. "The experience of the national movement in Azerbaijan has demonstrated a possibility of a non-violent way to independence. Democratic struggle is more efficient than the force of arms. The lessons of Afghanistan and Iraq should be the lessons for the West about poor effect of armed methods," he said.

The main report at the conference was made by Azhdar Tagizade, a native of Iran and chairman of the CAW's Permanent Board. Touching in the issue of violations of human rights in Iran, he said that "in Gasanabad Desert, there is Kakhribaz Prison, where hundreds of Azerbaijani intellectuals are kept. They are tortured and murdered; the death of seven inmates in the prison was officially confirmed."

The speakers criticised the government, parliament, political parties and NGOs of Azerbaijan, which fail to give due attention to the events in South Azerbaijan. "The issue of South Azerbaijan is not reflected in any way in the Azerbaijani state policy; it is never discussed by the National Assembly," said Sevil Nurieva, chair of the NGO "Euro-Asian Dialogue".

The CAW has adopted an appeal to parliaments and governments of the world, running about suppression by the Teheran regime of the national movement in South Azerbaijan and stating the must to defend the rights and freedoms of 35 million ethnic Azerbaijanis living in Iran.

The Iranian embassy refused to make any comments on the conference held in Baku on the "National Movement of South Azerbaijan."