Those who accuse us of separatism are not ready for democratic values

Q: Your last report has been the subject of many discussions. You and the distributors of the report in the media were accused of separatism. What is the reason for the need to distribute such a report right now?

Answer: This year the 20th anniversary of the ratification of the "Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities" of the Council of Europe by the Republic of Azerbaijan is marked. According to this convention, the Azerbaijani authorities must submit a report to the relevant structures of the Council of Europe for National Minorities (MA) every 5 years. The report should be submitted by the end of this year (in fact, in October of this year) and therefore we, as representatives of civil society, in order to assist in solving this problem, have also prepared and distributed a document called “Alternative report of the Public Council of Talysh of Azerbaijan on the implementation of the framework agreement Council of Europe on the protection of national minorities in the Republic of Azerbaijan for the period 2016 - 2021 regarding  the Talysh people” in which we have expressed our position. 

This report was prepared for the Council of Europe (CE) and describes the situation with the implementation in the Republic of Azerbaijan in 2016-2021 of the "Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities" in relation to the Talysh people (actually not implemented).

The document makes an attempt to revive the real situation, showing, on the basis of specific facts, the difference between the requirements of the norms of the "Framework Agreement for the Protection of National Minorities" and the form in which they (the mentioned requirements) are implemented in Azerbaijan in relation to the Talysh people, which is a minority ... But, unfortunately, all previous reports since 2000, since the accession of our country to the Council of Europe, were inaccurate and formal ... The main goal of publishing our report right now is to eliminate the existing shortcomings during the next reporting period. Is there any need to wait another 5 years?!

As for the fact that some accuse us of "separatism", we believe that this is a consequence of the ignorance of our society, as well as insufficient readiness to accept democratic values.

Question: In your report you emphasize that the rights of the Talysh are violated. But can you assert that in Azerbaijan there is any ethnic group whose position is preferable to the position of the Talysh? Why is the issue of Talysh on the agenda?

Answer: The purpose of the PCTA is an organization, created by a group of free-thinking representatives of the Talysh intelligentsia, to realize and protect the rights of the Talysh, who are one of the indigenous peoples of the Republic of Azerbaijan. The organization created by a group of free-thinking representatives of the Talysh intelligentsia to peacefully, patiently, reasonably and restrainedly seek the formation of a civilized civil society in the country within the framework of the norms established by the Constitution of the Republic of Azerbaijan and international documents to which the Republic of Azerbaijan has joined. We cannot be indifferent to certain problems of other peoples of our country, but we hope that they have their own public organizations or they can be created to raise and discuss their national and ethnic problems. So far, we are the first example, but in the name of the general progress of our society we can voluntarily support other nationalities in this matter ...

Question: Many point out that this report appeared during the aggravation of relations between Iran and Azerbaijan. Usually Iran and other neighboring countries throughout history have always tried to use Talysh and other ethnic groups against Azerbaijan. Can you prove to the public that there is no Iranian trace in the appearance of this report during this period?

Answer: Above, we explained the reasons for the need to include our report on the agenda, and this has nothing to do with today's or yesterday's relations between Iran and Azerbaijan. As for the "attempt throughout history" to use the Talysh against Azerbaijan by this or that country or forces ", this is devoid of any basis, is erroneous and even is nothing but an insult and slander against our people. Perhaps this erroneous position is associated with a complete lack of understanding of the ancient and modern history of the Talysh. Historically, the Talysh were the most loyal people on the lands and in the countries where they settled, they were distinguished by free-thinking and fair attitude.

Today, due to the well-known historical injustice, the Talysh, like the Azerbaijani Turks, are divided. Nevertheless, the Talysh are equally devoted and love their country and neighbors and cannot become an instrument of any political games. Both Azerbaijan on this side of the border, and Iranian Azerbaijan - it has always been the ancient, native and original homeland of the Talysh! And although today we are divided between two independent states recognized by the UN, we have no choice but to respect the sovereign rights of both states! So in our report there can be no other trace than the trace of our Motherland-Azerbaijan! At the same time, in the report adopted by the PCTA, we ask, in accordance with the requirements of the "Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities", the restoration and maintenance of free and peaceful ties between representatives of our divided peoples living along the borders of both countries. But, to our great regret, our country directly creates artificial obstacles for any scientific and cultural ties of our peoples, the existence of which, in the specified document, is enough facts ... Also, we were absolutely not satisfied with the silent and observant position taken by neighboring Iran in many issues, in particular in connection with the arrest on charges of "working for Iran" of Professor Novruzali Mammadov and us. Therefore, in many media we have come out with serious criticism of Iran on this issue.

Question: How does the PCTA assess the latter's actions towards Azerbaijan?

Answer: As we said above, we wish the establishment of sincere, friendly and peaceful relations between the two independent and sovereign neighboring states in which our divided peoples live, and are ready to make every effort on this path. We hope that the cold relations, inspired by the insidious forces, will soon be eliminated, and the old good relations will be restored.

Question: Let's assume that the government of Azerbaijan has created conditions for the Talysh to open schools in their own language. After that, other minorities will also want to be taught in their own language. Do you think this will cause a violation of the unity of the peoples living in Azerbaijan?

Answer: Why to "assume"? This is directly one of the requirements of the "Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities" signed by our country. By the way, long before the adoption of the Convention, this right was contained in the 1992 Decree of President Abulfaz Elchibey "On the protection of the rights and freedoms of national minorities, small peoples and ethnic groups living in the Republic of Azerbaijan, state assistance to the development of their language and culture"; and in 1995, President Heydar Aliyev instructed the Cabinet of Ministers to prepare a law "On ensuring the rights of persons belonging to national minorities". These are the requirements arising from the relevant articles of the Constitution of the country and other official documents. To what extent does the attitude to such authoritative documents and the position of their authors with such doubt correspond to the logic? On the contrary, they were fully confident that these steps would serve to even closer unification of our peoples and common progress ... But for some unknown reason, this good intention has not been realized for 30 years. This means that in our country or abroad there are terrible insidious forces that prevent this and are interested in making us quarrel ...

Question: What do you suggest? What steps can the government of Azerbaijan take to ensure that the unity of Azerbaijan is not violated, as well as to protect the rights of small peoples?

Answer: For this, first of all, it is necessary to start fulfilling the requirements of the aforementioned laws, including the "Framework Convention of National Minorities", to adopt the Law "On National Minorities", the discussion of which by the Milli Mejlis began in 2002 (approved by almost all CIS states). We hope that our country will also benefit from the corresponding MTPL report and will try to fix the problems on which we have indicated ...

Kamran Mahmudov