To Whom It May Concern:

Re                 APPEAL FOR YOUR SUPPORT OF SOUTHERN AZERBAIJAN

Thank you for spending a few minutes of your time to understand some of the problems imposed on Southern Azerbaijan.  A peaceful protest is now underway in Southern Azerbaijan against the 191^st Anniversary of the Gulustan pact.  This pact was instigated and spearheaded by Tsarist Russia on 12 October 1813 manipulating the feudal lords of Iran against the people of Azerbaijan.  Ever since, Azerbaijanis have endured untold repression and hardship and ever since, Azerbaijan has been partitioned, where Azerbaijan proper includes:

·        The Republic of Azerbaijan, as a separate independent state since 1990 emerging out of colonial rules of Tsarist and communist Russia, and

·        Southern Azerbaijan, still in the grip of Persian chauvinism. 

Azerbaijani communities living outside Southern Azerbaijan are expressing their solidarity with their fellow Azerbaijanis for this protest.  Southern Azerbaijan has been undergoing a semi-colonial rule imposed by successive regimes in Tehran for most of the 20^th century.  Examples of Iranian repressive policies include:

• Suppression of popular movements.  Successively, national governments set up in Southern Azerbaijan were suppressed by collaborations between Iran and Russia.

• With a population of over 30 million, Southern Azerbaijan was self-sufficient in the past but not anymore due to disadvantages deliberately created by regimes in Tehran.

• Suppression of any peaceful demonstration, e.g. arresting many community leaders in the commemoration of a national anniversary in July 2004.

The ruling apparatuses in Tehran even neglect their own legislation and violate any meagre national rights granted for various nationalities within Iran.  Now the issues are (i) the right of Southern Azerbaijanis for self determination; (ii) condemning repressive acts of the Iranian government; and (iii) the recognition of ongoing struggle by Southern Azerbaijanis.  The objectives of Azerbaijanis are to find their due status among the world community.  We therefore appeal to you hoping that you will:

• Promote the issue of the Southern Azerbaijan in your policies

• Exert pressure on the Iranian government to respect the right of self-determination in the Southern Azerbaijan

• Encourage the Iranian government to tolerate non-Persian nationalities and condemn Iran for repressive acts.

• Urge you to adopt a proactive approach in assisting us to preserve our culture.

We are confident that you are willing to help and sensitive to the cause of freedom.  On this we count on your help.  Thank you for reading our appeal and for your support.

Under singed by:

British Azerbaijani Community

Azerbaijani Turks Community

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