16 June 2006, 17:43
The Popular Front Party of Azerbaijan holds a picket in front of Iranian embassy
In the course of the picket of the Popular Front Party activists in front of the Iranian embassy, more than ten participants were arrested and one put to hospital. This was contained in the report of the Popular Front Party of Azerbaijan (PFPA) sent to the "Caucasian Knot". The picket was held in protest against the mass violations of human rights of the Azeri population in Iran. The participants came up to the embassy with the slogans: "Stop suppression of Azerbaijanis' rights in Iran!" "No to Persian chauvinism!" etc.
However, militia dispersed the picketers upon their approach to the embassy. Nevertheless, the participants disseminated among journalists the picket resolution requesting that the official Teheran should put an end to repressions. The world community and international organizations are called upon not to ignore the problems of Azerbaijanis in Iran and to express their attitude towards the suppression of their rights in the country. Meanwhile, according to the Baku office of the Movement for National Emergence of Southern Azerbaijan (MNESA), repressions against Azerbaijanis in Iran continue. Iranian secret services follow the national movement activists and arrest them at the earliest opportunity.
Additionally, the Iranian investigation agencies continue arrests of participants in May manifestations in Iran, identifying them from video materials and photographs. The activists arrested earlier are being subjected to torture in prisons. For reference, protest actions of Azerbaijanis in Iran started after offending publications in the "Iran" official newspaper where Azerbaijanis were shown in the form of cockroaches.
Author: Zaur Rasulzade, CK correspondent
