The Talishes demand autonomy

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| 17:02:03 | 20-05-2005 | Social |

THE TALISHES DEMAND AUTONOMY

On May 22-24 in Armenia an International Talish Conference is
held. Although the Azeri Government has ordered their Talishes more
than once not to take part in this conference, the delegation of the
Talishes from Azerbaijan arrived in Armenia on May 19. Their main
aim is to make people aware of their problems during the conference.

The Talishes are the main Persian-speaking minority of Azerbaijan, and
in 1993 they created an autonomous state, but the step was prevented
by the military forces of Azerbaijan. According to the Talishes
taking part in the conference, in Azerbaijan there are about 1.5
million Talishes, but the Azeri Government mentions an incomparably
small number.

For example, in Azerbaijan the Talish minority is deprived of studying
in their schools and learning their mother tongue. Other types of
discrimination are also implemented