Human Rights for South Azerbaijan

Dear sir/madam,

I am writing to you as an advocate for those who have no voice.

In present-day Iran, there are over 30 million Azeri-Turks living in the provinces of East and West Azerbaijan, Ardabil, Zanjan, Hamadan, Arak, Saveh, and Northern Khorasan. The Azeri-Turkish language is also spoken by the Qashqayi Turks, as well as various other Turkish-speaking peoples concentrated in the province of Fars and in central Iran. All these people live under the Iranian administration with absolutely no social, economical and political rights.

The Islamic Republic of Iran (IRI) is implementing Aryanization and Persianization of our people. This discriminatory policy is accelerating with time. Azeri-Turks are witnessing the eradication of their native culture, language, history and heritage on a daily basis. The IRI, like the Pahlavi regime, has banned the usage of Azeri-Turkish in the education system. In its place, Farsi is forced as the only legitimate Iranian language. The IRI regime imprisons journalists and activists who are trying to raise awareness about one of our most basic and fundamental rights as a people. This regime continues to enforce Persian racist ideology throughout Azerbaijan.

Just a few days ago, Mr. Yashar Hakkakpoor, Ms. Reyhane Poorghani and Mr.Davood Azimzadeh were arrested in the cities of Maragheh and Zenjan. Elsewhere, Mr. Hidayet Zakir, Mr. Abbas Nikravan, Mr. Javad Abbasi were sentenced to prison terms; and many more are awaiting imprisonment.

These activists and journalist have not broken any law in Iran. The IRI constitution promises the right to speak and write in our mother tongue. Despite this, these men have become victims of the secret police, Etelaat, and their lives are now in danger.

I urge you and your colleagues to make this issue, which affects more than 30 million people in Iran, a serious priority by putting pressure on the Islamic Republic of Iran. I am asking you to do everything in your power, as a defender of human rights, to save these innocent human beings.

We have been made aware of these crimes by watching "Gunaz TV." Now that these crimes are exposed, millions of us will stand together, with one voice. We will not back down until something is done and until progress is made on this essential and basic human rights issue.

Thank you for your attention to this matter.