Azernews.Az

Azeri intellectuals living across Iran have demanded that Azeri be recognized as an official language throughout the neighboring country, which is home to an estimated 30 million Azeris.
287 prominent scholars, writers, men of art, journalists and businessmen from 23 Iranian cities sent a letter to the country's parliament on Thursday saying that "if this step is not taken now, tomorrow it could be too late to do so". The appeal said that otherwise ethnic rifts could widen and a threat of Iran's split emerge, Radio Liberty reported.
"As you know, our community is suffering from the lack of respect for national rights. The population is firm on attaining its natural rights and every person taking steps in this direction will gain public approval. Azeris have so far sent hundreds of letters and appeals demanding to open educational institutions in their native tongue and making Azeri an official language in the media and state bodies," the appeal said.
It said further that since May 2006 the demands have been voiced by millions of Azeris taking to the streets and those at university campuses. Meeting the demands is in line with both Iranian and international law.
Although international groups have repeatedly raised the issue of violation of Azeris' rights before the Iranian government, Tehran has dismissed the accusations as false.