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THE
DISCORD BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT AND THE PARLIAMENT PREVAILS
IN IRAN
The
current political agenda in Iran is busy with the deep
dissidence between the parliament and the government. These
disagreements cause occasional encounters and suggestive
statements. The problem is that Ahmadinejad is refusing to
implement the laws approved by the parliament and taking
decisions against the law/regulations. In a decree he issued
on August 22, 2010, Ahmadinejad appointed four individuals,
including Asfandiar Raheem Mashea, as his special
representatives for Asia, The Middle East, The Caspian Sea
and Afghanistan to be responsible for certain issues under
the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This
has generated harsh reactions within the parliament.
Deputies, who are criticizing the deeds of the government,
underlined that the statements made by Hamid Baghaei, one of
the special representatives, regarding the so-called
Armenian genocide have put Iran in a difficult position
against Turkey. Another issue of discord is the decision
taken by the UN “to search Iranian ships in international
waters.” “Iran will retaliate by implementing a similar
practice within her territorial waters,” announced the
government in return. However, this statement of the
government has increased the tension in the parliament. The
Inquiries Center of the Iranian Parliament stated that there
is a “project” that regulates the transition between Iranian
law and international law regarding foreign affairs and that
this arrangement provides the Iranian Government with “the
right to retaliate”. However, this right applies to illegal
acts only. Underlining that the practice against Iranian
vessels has been approved by the UN and in the framework of
international law to which Iran is a party, the center
emphasized that the government does not have the right to
retaliate. The issues of discord are not limited to the
abovementioned topics. Disagreements have taken place on
issues like the 5th Five Year Development Plan, the
subsidies bill, the transfer of funds to the Tehran subway,
decreasing the working hours during month Ramadan and that
the government has declared September 11 an official holiday.
The parliament has gradually sharpened its reaction against
the said issues. “The parliament cannot tolerate forever the
illegal practices of the government. There is a limit for
our patience as well, stated the pro-Larijani deputies.
Available information indicates that certain deputies have
started to express that the parliament has the power to
dismiss the president. According to the Iranian Constitution,
such a parliamentary decision is not enough to dismiss the
president.Khamaney has to approve the decision eventually.
However, given that Khamaney is not comfortable with
Ahmadinejad’s certain practices and that he warned
Ahmadinejad several times for his conflict with the
parliament and his controversial decisions, it is debated
that an initiative to dismiss Ahmadinejad could come into
the agenda.
IRAN SETS UP A
PSYCHOLOGICAL DEFENSE MINISTRY
Iranian
authorities are frequently expressing that psychological
warfare efforts against the Islamic Republic have
intensified and that counter measures should be taken. Most
recently, Masoud Jazayeri, Deputy Chief of Staff for
Cultural Affairs of the Iranian Armed Forces, asked for a
new ministry that will combat the psychological warfare
efforts against Iran. Jazayeri underlined that the reports
on US media outlets on “the preparations for a potential
attack against Iran” are a part of the psychological war
waged against Iran. He also said that certain European
countries have backed that propaganda campaign and thus
there is a need for an institution that will centrally
define policies that will counter the psychological warfare
elements and carry out counter-measures. It is claimed that
the global adversaries of Iran have allocated 17 billion US
dollars for propaganda activities after the presidential
elections in 2009. With this fund it is aimed to carry out
efforts urging Iranian people to change their identities and
creating new role models within internal politics. The
Iranian Leadership, on the other hand, allocated a budget of
5 trillion Riyals (around 500 million USdollars) so as to
nullify the psychological warfare activities against the
regime. It is stated that this budget that will cover the
entire country will be spent for the internet, media outlets
and cultural/religious subjects. In a meeting titled “Psychological
Warfare and Media” that was held last year in Tehran,
President Ahmadinajad emphasized that intensive
psychological warfare methods have been implemented against
Iran. As is known, according to the official statement made
last year in March, 30 individuals were arrested for
carrying out espionage in connection with the US and anti-regime
propaganda activities.
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 12th 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.
IS “TURKISH” A SUFFICIENT REASON FOR BANS?
It has been reported that a shop in Ardabil
was closed down in March. The reason for the closure of the
shop named Chanlibal, owned by a Southern Azerbaijani named
Abbas Lasani, was the fact that the signboard was in
Turkish. It was stated that should the said signboard
changed into Farsi, the shop could be reopened.
The owner Lasani was arrested in October 2006
for his alleged active involvement in the incidents that
erupted after the publication of a cartoon in the Iran
Newspaper in May 2006 depicting Azerbaijanis as cockroaches,
and was released in October 2008.
MARCH 31 DECLARED AS THE COMMEMORATION DAY
Southern Azerbaijani groups declared March
31, 2009 as the commemoration day for the anniversary of the
massacres carried out by Armenians against the Southern
Azerbaijanis living in the Jiloluk Region near Uroumiyah in
1915-1916.
Southern Azerbaijani are using the reports
prepared by the then mayors so as to inform the then Iranian
government on the massacres perpetrated by Armenians as
evidences. The mentioned historical documents state that
along with the Jiloluk Region, also in certain villages of
the towns of Salmas and Khoy Armenians perpetrated attacks.
AKBAR ALAMI IN THE ELECTION PROCESS…
In the upcoming period of the 10th term
presidential election process, South Azerbaijanis are
reported to be engaged in activities to support former
Islamic Shoura Council member Akbar Alami who announced his
candidacy as of 10 March.
There is the possibility that the
presidential candidacy of Alami, who defended the rights of
Azeris and did not refrain from bringing forth his ethnic
identity during his period as MP in the Islamic Shoura
Council, could be rejected by the Guardian Council of Iran.
Thus, the South Azerbaijanis have hastened their support
campaign for Alami, according to reports.
MUSIC ART SCHOOL CLOSED
According to reporting, “ Azerbaijan ” music
art school was closed down by the security forces with
claims that it acted against Islamic rules. The music art
school had been functioning for 5 years in Tabriz with the
purpose of teaching Azeri music and folklore by 12 teachers
among whom were also local performers.
The school administrator Hassan Damirji had
been detained in 2006 after various pressures and was
sentenced to 1 year imprisonment by the Tabriz Revolutionary
Court but the sentence had been annulled by the Court of
Appeals.
A NEW TYPE OF
IRANIAN OPPRESSION ON AZERBAIJANIS
The Iranian Regime
has generated a new type of oppression on the Southern
Azerbaijanis. While the related authorities were tolerating,
though reluctantly, sermons in the Azerbaijani language in
the small mosques in certain provinces of Southern
Azerbaijan only yesterday, the government has taken a hasty
decision “to put a complete ban on sermons given other than
Farsi”. The mentioned decision has been currently submitted
to the Council of Experts (Shouraye Khobragan).Following the
opinion of the Council of Experts, the decision will be
submitted to the Expediency Council (Majmae Tashkheese
Maslahat Nazam) for the ultimate approval.This decision
means “the continuation of the denial of Southern
Azerbaijanis’ mother tongue.” The regime commits a spiritual
genocide by “putting a ban on languages other than Farsi”.
Presently, the people of Southern Azerbaijan constitute 30
million of the overall Iranian population of 70 million.
Thus, just like Farsi, the Azerbaijani Turkish represents
most of the Iranian nation and a ban on the usage of this
language will add on to the human rights record of Iran
under the title of “disgrace”. It is useful to remind
Articles 15 and 19 of the Iranian Constitution…
Article 15:
The official and common tongue and written language of the
Iranian people is Farsi. Official documents,
correspondences, texts and textbooks should be written with
this language. However, it is free to use regional languages
in publications and the mass media, and to instruct the
literatures of these languages in schools besides the Farsi
language.
Article 19:
Iranian citizens have equal rights regardless of their
tribes and clans. Color, race or language do not constitute
any privilege.
THEIR ONLY FAULT IS TO THINK DIFFERENTLY
A group of 20 students who are from various
universities and who have been deprived of the right of
education carried out an activity by gathering in front of
the Islamic Consultative Assembly of Iran on 05 October.
Nirouie Entazami Forces detained the students
after beating them because of the slogans protesting against
the practices and raising their demand of returning to the
universities.
The education process of the group of
students who have got together under the name of
“Danashcouyan Satarehdar” who are from universities has been
ended due to their political activities at universities.
IT IS ALSO THEIR RIGHT
TO BE EDUCATED AND TO LEARN
South Azerbaijani students who are receiving
education at Zanjan University were deprived of the right of
education by not getting admitted to the university by the
University administration in the 2008 instruction year.
The people called Hahami, Bahram Vahedi and
Alireza Firouzi were detained and released after their
interrogation in May 2008 on the grounds that they
participated in the activities so as to protest the
conditions of education and accommodation within the scope
of restrictions on the students.
A CALL CAMPAIGN HAS BEEN INITIATED ON THE
INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS…
A campaign has been initiated in Iran to
raise the demands regarding the establishment of independent
jurisdiction, rights of minorities, freedom of speech, the
arbitrary detentions and ethnic discrimination.
The texts of the campaign initiated by the
organizations struggling for the independence of the South
Azerbaijan are sent to international organizations in
particular the Amnesty International and Human Rights
Monitoring Committee as well as the Iranian authorities.
LATEST SITUATION OF THE
TABRIZ UNDERGROUND
The Tabriz underground the
construction of which was started in 2001 and which is
designed to run on four routes can not be completed due to
insufficient funds.
The Mayor of Tabriz Ali Reza
Novin who came to the site of underground to observe the
work on 03 April 2008 stated that “a fund of 200 million
Tumans has been allocated for the Tabriz underground, the
transfer of funds from the Tabriz Mayorship will continue,
the problem of mass transportation which is increasingly
pressing in Tabriz can be overcome with underground.” It is
common view among public in Tabriz that it is not possible
to complete the underground in a short while.
THE LETTER BY THE GROUP
FOR THE SOUTHERN AZERBAIJAN NATIONAL MOVEMENT
It has been found out that 19
scientists living outside Iran in favor of the Southern
Azerbaijan National Movement as well as the representatives
of various associations and organizations have sent a letter
to Raymond G.Gordon, the editor of “the Etnologue” published
by the International Linguistic Center, based in the USA.
The letter is noted to have
stressed briefly that a great majority of the Azeri
population in the country live in the Provinces of West
Azerbaijan, East Azerbaijan, Ardabil and Zanjan and that
they are spread all over the country involving the areas
stretching from the existing Azeri areas in the northwest to
the east of the country and the areas of Tehran, Khorasan,
Markazi, Hamadan and Qazvin. It also underlined that
information has been received regarding the suspicious
attempts to reduce the figures of the Azeri population in
Iran and that those figures which appeared in the Etnologue
are objective and correspond to the realities of the
region.”
THE INCIDENTS IN THE URMIA
PRISON
It is reported that 10 South
Azerbaijani prisoners in the Urmia Prison carried out an act
for the improvement of the imprisonment conditions in late
March. Following the incidents occurred between the reacting
officials in the prison and the prisoners, the prisoners
involved were transferred to the Urmia intelligence building
by the intelligence officials. The officials made no
statement concerning the fate of the individuals.
|
Triangle
of Russia-Iran-Armenia
The
Raid On The House Of Ayatollah Brujerdi And The Truth
Lying Beneath…
