THE BAN ON TURKISH LANGUAGE MAINTAINED

 A ban has been imposed on programs in Turkish language broadcasted for the youth and children in the Iranian Province of Zanjan. “A ban has been imposed on broadcasting in Turkish for young people and children in the province. Turkish language is only permitted for martyrs, village programs and poetry. Otherwise, no programs will be broadcasted in Turkish,” stated Razmjoo, the Chairman of the Zanjan Province Sada and Sima Administration. On the other hand, the installation of devices in high buildings, schools, official institutions and poles to jam TV broadcasts attracted the reaction of Southern Azerbaijanis. The said measures prevent the local people from watching the TV programs of other countries, including Turkey. Similar practices also take place in the city of Tabriz.

IRANIAN TURKS STAY AWAY FROM DRUGS

 In the recent period, the increase in the drug abuse has started to create a sensitivity in the Azerbaijani community. “The regions in Southern Azerbaijan have lesser interest in drugs than the other regions of Iran,” said Sargod Mohammad, a member of the General Education Administration of the Eastern Azerbaijan Humanitarian Forces. The authorities announced that the drug abuse that has increased in parallel to the political, economic and social problems in Iran is mostly observed within people of 15-64 ages and that more than 8 million people are using drugs.

LOVE OF PJAK IN THE UNIVERSITY OF TABRIZ

 The administration of the University of Tabriz allowed students known to be PJAK sympathizers to set up a new institution. The objective of the said formation is reported to publicize Kurdish language and dialects. The Azerbaijani students are said to react against the mentioned developments. Meanwhile, the Tabriz University office of the Arman Group, comprised of Azerbaijani students and groups, has been closed down by the Intelligence Ministry. This is defined as a blow against the rights and freedoms of Southern Azerbaijanis and their cultural activities aimed at keeping their mother tongues alive.

ARRESTS ARE MAINTAINED ON THE ANNIVERSARY OF THE CARTOONS

 On the anniversary of the publication of cartoons insulting Azerbaijanis on May 12, 2006, pressures and arrests against Southern Azerbaijanis have been maintained. As a result of the practices of the Iranian Ministry of Intelligence, 25 individuals have been arrested. It is reported that several Azerbaijanis, including Bahbud Gholizadah, Dr. Alireza Abdullahi, Engineer Mustafa Jamshidy, Abbas Lasany, Syamak Mirzay, Aydin Hejayi, Alireza Hasanzade and Mesud Hassanzade, are unaccounted for.

FOOTBALL GAMES CONTINUE UNITING SOUTHERN AZERBAIJANIS

 The slogans chanted by Southern Azerbaijanis during a game between Tractor Saziy Tabriz football team and the team of Tehran disturbed the leadership. Meanwhile, incidents broke out during the game between Sahrad Tabriz football team and the team of Kahderi Tehran in Tabriz on May 25, 2010. Southern Azerbaijani spectators marched towards the center of Tabriz after the game. The members of the Regular Army who could not stand the slogans chanted by the Azerbaijanis for rights and freedoms interfered harshly. Several individuals were detained. During the clamor several Azerbaijanis were injured.

TENSION BETWEEN TURKS AND PERSIANS IN RASHT

 As a result of the improper policies of the leadership, ethnic problems in the country spread to the university students. The Southern Azerbaijani students in the universities in Rasht organized aprotest demonstration against the students of Persian descent. The incidents broke out after students of Persian descent had prepared plays involving insults against Southern Azerbaijanis. It is reported that 200 Southern Azerbaijani students participated in the protest demonstration and that incidents were avoided before they got out of control.

TABRIZI ACTIVIST AYAT MEHRALI BEIGLU WAS DETAINED

The Tabriz Unit of the Iranian Ministry of Intelligence detained the Southern Azerbaijani political activist named Ayat Mehrali Beiglu who resides in the Sofyan town of Tabriz. It is reported that the said person was severely beaten by persons who broke into his residence. Beiglu’s family applied to the Iranian security authorities but failed to receive any information so far. Beiglu, who has a masters degree on administration from the Tarbiat Modarras University of Iran, had been arrested twice in 2002 and 2004 and sentenced to short terms of imprisonment for carrying out pro-Turkish activities.

SYSTEMATIC KURDISH MIGRATION TO ORUMIYEH

The systematic Kurdish migration to Orumiyeh continues be means of the practices of official institutions. Officials of Kurdish descent working in the Orumiyeh Employment Authority  provide the Kurds with employment and residence by making use of the potentials of the government. Moreover, Kurds are paid an amount of Iranian rials equal to 100 US dollars under the name of assistance.

The Kurds working in the Employment Authority are said to be the supporters of the Kurdistan Free Living Party (PJAK). Therefore, the Azeris living in the area are disturbed by the practices of the Orumiyeh Employment Authority.

LAKE ORUMIYEH DRYING UP

A demonstration was held in April so as to attract the attention to the drought in Lake Orumiyeh. It has been found out that around 100 detainees, including the Southern Azerbaijanis Ata Karimi, Hossein Nasri and Mohammad Mohammadlou, who had been detained for their participation in the said demonstration, were tortured. Ata Karimi was sentenced to 27 days in prison. It is emphasized that the demonstrators chanted slogans like “Education in the Mother Tongue” and “Long Live Azerbaijan”. The level of salt that will come up as a result of the drought in the lake will force the Southern Azerbaijanis living in the area to migrate to other provinces.

AN EVENTFUL TEACHERS’ DAY

Groups of teachers organized demonstrations in order to have beter employee rights on May 02, which is officially celebrated as the Teachers’ Day. Several Southern Azerbaijanis participated in the demonstrations. Meanwhile, it is reported that 7 teachers were detained in Tabriz, Hamadan and Tehran. It has been found out that a Southern Azerbaijani named Tofiq Mustafadur was arrested during the demonstrations. It is reported that the turnout has been high despite all the measures and the arrests are still going on.

THE OPENING OF ARMENIA’S CONSULATE GENERAL IN TABRIZ IS AGAIN ON THE AGENDA

 After an interval of two years, the opening of Armenia’s Consulate General in Iran is on the agenda. Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Hasan Qashkhavi stated that the preliminary agreement was reached concerning Armenia’s opening the consulate in Tabriz. Owing to the conveniences granted by the Iranian Government to Armenians, Armenians have reportedly started to flow to South Azerbaijan recently. Thanks to the Tehran-Yerevan cooperation, while Armenians publish cultural declarations in Ardebil and religious declarations in Urumiyeh, they seek to be involved in the oil industry in Tabriz.               Read More>>

SOUTH AZERBAIJANIS ARE UPSET ABOUT “APRIL 24”

The South Azerbaijani students studying at Tabriz University and artists and scientists living in Tabriz are upset about the activities to be organized by the Armenian institutions on April 24 in Tabriz to mark the 95th anniversary of the so-called Armenian genocide. Therefore, the abovementioned group reportedly issued a communiqué to be sent to Ministry of Internal Affairs. The communiqué states that “Armenians committed genocide against Turks in 1915, 1917 and 1918; however, the historic facts were ignored and the Iranian regime provided every kind of support to Armenians, efforts should be made not to be used in the political schemes manipulated by the Armenian diaspora. According to the reporting due to “April 24” the Armenian institutions are planning to activate an internet site and establish a library so as to inform the Iranian public opinion. Among the other activities are the organization of the poetry days and the contests of picture and composition in some schools in Tabriz. Such activities which make the South Azerbaijanis intellectuals feel upset aren’t new. The clashes occurred in the demonstrations which the Armenians held to mark “genocide” in Tehran in 2004 haven’t been forgotten yet.

When looked at the near past of Iran, it is observed what kinds of policies are kept in force in the country.  “The Genocide Monument” in Vank (Vanak) Church constructed in 1975 in Esfahan, the third largest city in the country is a good example of the stable (!) policies of the regime. The historians note that Armenians in Esphahan were brought from the Caucasus in the 16th century  by the Safavid Ruler Shah Abbas I. and settled in Julfa Neighborhood constructed on the right bank of the river.        

THE INTERNATIONAL TELECOMMUNICATION UNION HAS WARNED IRAN

         In the European Union (EU) Foreign Ministers Meeting which was held on 22nd March, The International Telecommunication Union, which is subordinate to the UN and the headquarters of which is in Geneva/Switzerland, has warned Iran following the publication of declaration by EU on the said issue. In the statement of 26th March, Iranian regime has been condemned for their obstruction efforts against satellite TV broadcasts of the French satellite operator Eutelsat. It has also been emphasized in the statement that Iran, which is a member of The Union, is obliged to act accordingly with the relevant regulations on radio signals and that permission to obstruct radio signals will not be authorized to any country, which is a party to these agreements.

EARTH DAY HAS BEEN CELEBRATED

            “The Earth Day”, which is organized by Southern Azerbaijanis, has been celebrated on 2nd March in Tabriz, Ardabil, Khoy and Salmas. Approximately 40 thousand people took part in this activity which is held near the Uroumiyah Lake to prevent the lake from drying out and to increase the environmental sensitivity. It has been learned that, the security forces took 100 people from Tabriz, Ardabil, Khoy and Salmas under custody. It has been told that, the mobile phones and identities of almost 400 people have been confiscated. It has been indicated that, the Southern Azerbaijanis, who participated this activity, have shouted the following slogans: “There Should Be a Madrasah for Each in Turkish Language”, “Deny the Invader Farsi”. Southern Azerbaijani formations told that thanks to this activity, they gave the necessary message to the Iranian government and opponents, and emphasized that the demands of the Turkic origins are different than the Green Movement that is based in Tehran.

            40 PEOPLE ARE TAKEN UNDER CUSTODY IN TRAKTOR SAZI MATCH                

              The football match that was held in Mashad in 4th April between Southern Azerbaijani team Traktor Sazi and Farsi team Abu Muslam was eventful due to the change in referee and referee’s decision in favor of Ebu Mouslam team during the match. According to the information obtained, the security forces have taken almost 40 people of Azeri orgin under custody.  Tabriz MP Ali Reza Manadi senta letter to the Iranian Football Federation to put an end towrongdoing to the Tracktor Sazi team and to replay the football match.

HUNGER STRIKE AT ARDABIL JAIL..

 The South Azerbaijani activists called Ali Abbasi, Vadoud Saadaty, Behrouz Alizade and Rahim Gholamy started a hunger strike in the Ardabil jail where they are imprisoned. Jail officials are worried by the possibility that the mentioned strike might become widespread throughout the jail. For this reason, jail director has reportedly asked to get a document from the mentioned individuals in which they would express their remorse, but has been given a negative response.

IMPRISONMENTS THROUGH MARCH…

 Azerbaijani individuals called Ali Iman, Mehdi Iman, Nader Bakhtavar and Jahanbakhsh Bakhtavar who were tried in Tabriz were sentenced to imprisonment of 3-6 months. On the other hand, Hasan Ark, a writer of the daily Shams Tabriz who was arrested upon the operation of the Intelligence Ministry in last September and Azerbaijani activist called Ali Dashti were sentenced, by the court where they were tried, to 91 days of imprisonment.

TABRIZ TRAKTORSAZI FOOTBALL TEAM WINS

 Tabriz Traktorsazi Football Team, supported by South Azerbaijanis, won the game 2-1 against its rival Farsi Istilazin Tehran football team on March 12, 2010 at the Tabriz Seheng Stadium. South Azerbaijanis who wore red clothes during the match chanted slogans shouting “Education in Turkish” and “Release the Political Prisoners”. It has been learnt that a number of individuals were arrested by the security units following the match.

SOUTH AZERBAIJANI STUDENTS MAKE A STATEMENT

 Azerbaijani students, studying at the universities in Tehran as well as at the universities located in the Azerbaijani areas, made a joint statement during the meetings which they held on March 13-14, 2010. In this statement, it was stressed that “the Azerbaijani National Movement had no links with the Green Road Movement; the history of Azerbaijan had so far been covered up by the officials; the Farsi had been insulting the Azerbaijani national heroes through the press; the Azerbaijani National Movement had a pro-Turkish structure; and the Green Road Movement had been unable to pour the Azerbaijanis onto the streets in the recent political incidents”. Moreover, it was demanded that unlawful treatments against the students be stopped.

IRANIAN HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERSISSUED A STATEMENT

 In the recent period, which is marked by the increased pressure on the reformist individuals and politicians, the high number of releases on bail deserves attention.The non-governmental organization called “Human Rights Activists of Iran” issued a statement on March 26, 2010 in which it criticized the pressure and arrests against the human rights defenders. The statement underlined that the accusations were a complete fake and the IRGC was behind these accusations.  The said organization had made calls on international organizations through the activities it held in various parts of the world during last July. 35 human rights defenders, who are members of various human rights organizations and were arrested during March, are accused of supporting anti-regime elements, organizing illegal demonstrations,waging a psychological war and spying. Lastly, the Revolutionary Court of Tehran released journalist Sasan Aghaei, human rights defender Somayyeh Farid, and Maryam Zia, a defender of women and children’s rights, on bail of high amounts, to be tried without arrest. Reformists express that individuals are released either temporarily or permanently on bail with a view of softening the political atmosphere,and also the applications made to silence human rights activists arecarried out directly by the IRGC.

ASSASINATION OF MOHAMMADI CAUSED DEBATE

The assassination of Masud Ali Mohammadi, who was a physics professor at Tehran and Sharif Technical Universities, caused diverse reactions and debate in Iran’s internal politics. Following the incident, the Iranian Atomic Energy Agency expressed that the mentioned individual had no connection with the agency and did not participate in the works carried out in this field. Nevertheless, officials described Mohammadi as “an expert active in the nuclear field”. Majlas Speaker Ali Larijani said that “a few days before the assassination, they had been informed that the US and Israeli intelligence agencies would perpetrate a terrorist act in Tehran and these agencies chose to assassinate the Iranian experts in order to undermine the nuclear activities of Iran”. Meanwhile, Larijani also noted that the Green Movement led by Mir Hussein Mousavi had created the necessary grounds for the terrorist attacks. On the other hand, in his assessment, Asadollah Badamchian, an MP of the Iranian Islamic Advisory Council from Tehran and a member of the conservative Islamic Mutalifah Formation, warned that “reformist political leaders could also be the target of similar assassinations”. The daily Kayhan acting under government control covered the assassination by stating that the “assassination of Mohammadi was a continuation of the activities which led to the death of Neda Agasoltan and Ali Musavi Khamaneh, nephew of Mir Hussein Mousavi”. The Green Movement and the Mousavi front put the blame on the government. It was underlined that there were efforts to pave the ground for the activities carried out for the trial of Mousavi and to put the blame on the reformist section. It was stated that Mohammadi was chosen target due to his support to the Green Movement, that the attack was probably perpetrated by a radical group within the IRGC and that the quick cleaning of the scene of the attack had the aim of eliminating the evidences. Mousavi expressed that the “murder was definitely a part of the extensive plan of the US and Israel, and violence could not be accepted due to their political tendencies”. The mentioned statement was considered by the political circles as an attempt “to compromise and reduce tension”.

Mohammadi lost his life on January 12^th when a bomb, placed on a motorcycle which was left in the water channel next to which he had parked his car, exploded in the District of Kayterriyeh. Although Mohammadi was introduced as a supporter of the Islamic regime in the pro-government press, he was among the university lecturers supporting Mousavi prior to the presidential elections.

BASIJ GETS ORGANIZED AT PRIMARY SCHOOLS

Iranian officials underlined that the basis of education are laid at younger ages; in this context, they have decided that children at primary school age would undergo Basij education and that for this aim Basij units would be created at primary schools for the first time.

Mohammad Saleh Jukar, who is in charge of Primary-Secondary School Students at Basij Resistance Organization and the Culture Unit, made a statement on the subject indicating that “the objective was to have the thoughts of Revolution and Basij adopted by the children at primary school age and expanded among them.” It is aimed to set up 6 thousand Basij Representations at preschool education institutions in overall country starting from November and in this way to get the children learn about Basij Organization at younger ages.

Studies that have been made until today show that 4 million 600 thousand students at primary and secondary school age have joined the Basij Organization and that the mentioned activities will be carried out by teachers and cultural officials who are members of the Basij Organization. It is also noted that 320 thousand students and cultural officials are members of this organization.

Meanwhile, the opposition circles underline that the education system is based on ideological pressure and also note that one of the reasons of the student acts that have been continuing since particularly the Presidential elections is the reaction displayed against such practices.

HEALTH PROBLEMS IN PRISONS…

It has been learned that due to the lack of health services in Iranian prisons, Southern Azerbaijani journalist and human rights advocate Said Metinpour’s health has been worsened, who was imprisoned for 8 years in Tehran-Evin prison. No news has been heard of Azeri poet and author Mahbub Boudaghi who has been arrested in August.

RIGHT FOR EDUCATION IN MOTHER TONGUE…

People of Southern Azerbaijan who express the right for education in mother tongue are being arrested. Journalist Hasan Arak and political activist from Tabriz, Abrahim Dashti are taken under custody. Azerbaijani activists Behrouz Alizade, Vadoud Saadeti, Rahim Gholami, Hossein Hosseini and Ardeshir Karimi Khiyavy are sentenced for a year imprisonment, Azerbaijani activist Asghar Akbarzadeh is sentenced for 5 years imprisonment. Southern Azerbaijanis made request for adoption of education in mother tongue and for Turkish to be official language with the start of 2009-2010 education semester.

OBSTACLE FOR GRADUATE STUDIES…

In the universities a new pressure arises every day. Hamed Tofigh, an Azerbaijani student, can not learn his exam result although he completed all exam procedure for graduate studies. Although Amane Ghasempour earned high scores, Amane is not permitted to attend a graduate studies program. In the same way, although Azerbaijani women rights advocate Hakime Sehhat Mosnahr earned the necessary points she is not accepted for graduate studies of sociology in Azad University. Also Azerbaijani students Behzad Jaddi, Shahram Shoghi, Abrahim Shahbazi are not accepted for graduate studies.