In the 14 May 2006 issue
of the pro-regime Iran Newspaper in Iran two cartoons that
humiliate and degrade South Azerbaijanis were published.
After the publication of cartoons, mass acts of large scale
were carried out in the cities of Tabriz, Urmia, Hoy and
Zanjan where South Azerbaijanis are living in great numbers
in Iran. In the cartoons that have caused events, Turks are
likened to an insect and many suggestions have been made in
order to destroy the generation of it.
The reactions of the South
Azerbaijanis against the cartoons published in Iran
Newspaper which belongs to the state, have not come to an
end yet. For example, thousands of South Azerbaijanis
gathered in front of the Urmia Covered Bazaar on 22 May 2006
held a great rally against the mentioned newspaper and
Iranian regime. In the meeting in which the security forces
took severe measures many South Azerbaijanis were injured
and at least three persons were killed. In the cities where
the Turkish population is living, the sale of the Iran
Newspaper has been banned. Upon the reactions, firstly the
newspaper administration and subsequently the Ministry of
Culture apologized. The acts are expected to last and have
particular dimensions.
