Problematic Issue of Minorities living in Azerbaijan

The session of the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly will be held in late April. Georgia’s commitments undertaken upon accession to the Council of Europe in 1999 over repatriation of deported Meskhetians to Georgia is expected to top the agenda.

However, the Georgian delegation is going to push forward the issue of Georgians living in Azerbaijan (Ingilos).

“I will push forward the issue of Ingilos, as we receive a lot of letters stating that their rights are violated in Azerbaijan. They are forbidden to restore or retain traditional first and last names. They are also forbidden to speak Georgian outside their families, etc. We do not reproach Azerbaijan, but we demand from them to fulfill their commitments and protect the rights of national minorities,” Elene Tevdoradze said.

Elene Tevdoradze, who is the head of Human Rights and Civil Integration Committee of the Georgian Parliament, said there is always a huge pressure put on Georgia by Azerbaijan, Turkey and Russia while discussing the issue of deported Meskhetians.

According to Tevdoradze, there are thousands of Meskhetians living in Azerbaijan and that’s why Baku is so active.