Baku hosts protest action against infringement of Azerbaijanis' rights in Iran

Today in Baku, at about midday, a group of activists of the World Congress of Azerbaijanis (WCA) has held a non-authorized protest action in front of the embassy of Iran in Azerbaijan. As reported by the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent, the participants of the action came there to express their discontent with the actions of the authorities of Iran, who are damaging the ecology in the north of the country, where Azerbaijanis live. The point is in economic activities around Lake Urmia.

Several dozens of protesters came to the embassy with bottles of water and posters demanding "to stop destruction of the lake."

Besides, the picketers demanded to guarantee the national rights of Azerbaijanis in Iran, and a permit to study in their mother tongue.

"Azerbaijanis in Iran make, at least, 40 percent of the total population of this country; however, they have no schools, universities, theatres, newspapers, TV and radio. The mullahs' regime pursues the policy of assimilation of Azerbaijanis. Now, our compatriots are also oppressed economically. Because of amelioration of Lake Urmia, the water level drops and land plots of the Azerbaijanis living around suffer from salinization; and agriculture there is becoming already impossible," said Azhdar Tagizade, an official representative of the WCA.

The participants of the picket tried to hand over the resolution of the action to the embassy; however, Mohammed Khani, an embassy official, who went out to them from the diplomatic mission, tore the document into pieces and named the protesters as "provokers, trying to spoil bilateral relations." Then he called the police to disperse the action; and it was done. However, nobody was detained.

According to Iranian sources, as a result of amelioration works in the area of Lake Urmia, the level of this lake dropped by 7 meters, which resulted in salinization of 150 hectares of arable land and caused serious damage to the farmers living there.

The Iranian embassy refused from comments. The person on duty would not connect with the press service or other units, referring to their extreme preoccupation.