Azerbaijan, Baku, November 13/ Trend , corr A. Huseynbala/ Political organizations of Azerbaijan are working out an appeal to international organizations against increasing repressions against compatriots in Iran.
"We are collecting repression- related facts at the moment. This issue needs to be raised on international level," Etibar Mammadov, head of Coordinating Council of South Azerbaijan international forum and leader of opposition National Independence Party said to Trend .
There are 35 million Azerbaijanis in South Azerbaijan. The facts of repressions and torture against those sentenced to different terms in jail by Iranian authorities have increased recently.
Union for Democracy (UFD) composed of Azerbaijan's opposition parties asked Iran's Embassy in Azerbaijan last week to clarify repressions against Azerbaijanis. If Embassy does not respond, UFD plans to stage a picket in front of the Iranian Embassy.
It would be better to draw attention of world community to repressions in South Azerbaijan rather than stage a protest action in Baku, he said.
"We are working out a document on repressions. We make efforts so that illegal actions of Iranian authorities will be discussed in parliaments of other countries," Mammadov said.
"It is impossible to stop illegal actions of Iranian authorities against Azerbaijani compatriots in South Azerbaijan through any organization or measures," Aqil Samadbayli, chief of Central Board of United Azerbaijan Union (UAU) said to Trend .
The ongoing processes in South Azerbaijan should be regarded as problems of entire nation, he said.
"Azerbaijani government should also express its position on this issue. If government officially expresses its attitude against repressions and tortures, Iranian authorities can draw a conclusion from it," he added.
"If UAU holds any event and issues a message, Iranian government will not take it serious. State Committee for Work with Azerbaijanis Abroad should also express its disagreement over repressions against compatriots in South Azerbaijan. This move can prevent tortures," Samadbayli said.
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