Appeal of the South Azerbaijani Organizations to the People of South Azerbaijan and Other Turkic Communities Living in the Geography of Iran
To our Nation,
It is no longer a secret to anyone that the Azerbaijani people—the largest national group in Iran—have been facing severe oppression and injustice for many years. In order to maintain its existence, the theocratic regime has squandered the country’s national resources on baseless ideological adventures and held the lives and property of the people hostage. The regime’s sole objective has been the prolongation of its own survival.
Over the past half-century, the Islamic Republic of Iran has brought nothing but oppression, suffering, and disaster to all nations within its borders, especially Azerbaijan. Today, in Iran—where more than half the population consists of Azerbaijani and other Turkic communities—thousands of our people are being forced to live under physical, moral, and psychological torment due to the regime’s terror-based policies, and the most fundamental rights of our nation are being systematically violated.
In the past two weeks, during the Iran–Israel conflict, the entire world once again witnessed how this regime forces the nations under its rule to live under intolerable conditions. The catastrophic situation created by this war has clearly revealed how the Iranian regime is dragging the region toward an abyss.
However, unfortunately, at this sensitive and historic juncture, some radical Kurdish groups are once again putting forward unfounded claims over Azerbaijani lands and calling for the occupation of our territory. At a time when favorable conditions have emerged for joint struggle among nations, these efforts are neither coincidental nor mere local disputes. These actions are directly aimed at undermining the unity of nations and serve no purpose other than prolonging the life of the Iranian regime.
The central government’s silence in the face of these calls by terrorist groups for the occupation and invasion of Azerbaijani lands is extremely telling.
In such a situation, the Azerbaijani people have no choice but to organize their own self-defense.
We have no doubt that the Azerbaijani nation is capable of defending itself and will mobilize all its resources to prevent terrorist groups from taking root in Azerbaijani lands. We are confident that neighboring states and peoples that support peace and stability—as well as progressive forces around the world—will stand with us in this struggle.
At this sensitive and historic moment, we, the South Azerbaijani organizations, declare that we have united for the purpose of determining our own destiny on our own land. As always, we will be guided by the principle that all people in this region must live together in peace and solidarity. We commit to guaranteeing the rights, freedoms, and security of all communities—regardless of race, language, religion, or sect—and it is with this purpose that we announce the establishment of the South Azerbaijan Organizations’ Cooperation Council (SAOCC) and call on our people:
- Let us strengthen our national unity!
- Let us protect our homeland, our land, and our national identity together!
- Let us remain vigilant and prepared against the dangers ahead!
FREEDOM, JUSTICE, NATIONAL GOVERNMENT!
THE FUTURE IS OURS!
Signatory Organizations:
- Azerbaijan Central Party (AMP)
- Azerbaijan National Resistance Organization (Diranish)
- Azərbaycan Demokrat Firqəsi (ADF)
- Freedom Front (GAMAC)
- National Council of South Azerbaijan Statehood (NCS)
- South Azerbaijan Democratic Party (GADP)
- South Azerbaijan Independence Party (SAİP)
- South Azerbaijan Liberation Party (GAQP)
- South Azerbaijan Student Movement (AZOH)
- South Azerbaijan Student Union (GAOB)
- South Azerbaijani Republic Party (ACP)
