Russia accuses Georgian govt of discrimination against Azeris
The government of Georgia is pursuing a policy of "purposeful discrimination" against Azerbaijanis, the country’s biggest ethnic minority, the Russian foreign ministry maintains.
"The total number of ethnic Azerbaijanis in Georgia is approximately 300,000 [7 percent of the South Caucasus republic’s population]. In secondary schools in the Kvemo Kartli region, [the number of students in] the Azerbaijani language section is being deliberately reduced, and preference is given to Georgians during the hiring to government posts," the Russian ministry said in a report assessing the situation with human rights worldwide.
The report also cited instances of giving Georgian titles to Azerbaijani-populated villages.
"These actions by the Georgian authorities undoubtedly hurt the feelings of the local population," the ministry said. "As a result, [ethnic] Azerbaijanis’ moving to neighboring Azerbaijan is becoming an exodus."
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