Azerbaijanis in Iran seek to assert their rights on their own: expert

Day.Az: How do you assess current situation in Iran?

Yunus Oguz: Today Iran is experiencing very hard times. Iran is second to China for violation of human rights. Respect for human rights and democracy in Iran every day is more demanded by elite and people. Iran also is under pressure from the leading countries to abide by human rights. In this context, rights of Azerbaijanis living in this country are also frequently violated. Iran has forbidden to receive education and to publish newspaper in Azerbaijani language.

So I think that in order to overcome this difficult situation that Iran faces now, as a first step the country promote democracy and observe human rights. I believe that Iran should make a change.

Q: How do you predict further developments in Iran?

A: While tension in Iran has subsided to a small extent, there are still ongoing unauthorized demonstrations and clashes. Iran is not going to accept the existing regime in the country. The root of this is that the elite and people are protesting against Islamic rule. The current regime in Iran existed in the Middle Ages. Today, the world gives the greatest preference to democracy. Anywhere in the world democracy and human rights are valued and rallies and speeches will continue until they are violated in Iran.

Q: Will Iran change policy towards Azerbaijan following Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s re-election?  

A: I think Iran’s attitude to Azerbaijan will never change. Iran understands that the country has more than 30 million Azerbaijanis. If Iran's policy in relation to our country changes, it will cause a huge wave of internal unrest.

Q: How do you assess condition of Azerbaijanis in Iran after the elections?

A: Only a small portion of Azerbaijanis living in Iran joined supporters of former presidential candidate Mir-Hossein Mousavi. Even Mousavi's accession to power, despite many promises he made, would not change condition of Azerbaijanis. Therefore, Azerbaijanis try to assert their rights on their own.

/Day.Az/