The Voice of Mirza Xazar

Opposition objects to existence of KGB generals' monuments in Georgia

Opposition objects to the fact that Georgian government opens the monuments and the embankments of the KGB generals and CC secretaries. Leaders of the Republican and the Conservative parties say this should not happen in the 21-st century.

'We must not open the monuments and embankments of the KGB generals and the CC secretaries in 2007; this is the 21-st century. We passed this period long ago, we renamed their streets and now the government is beginning everything from the very beginning. This is unacceptable. They will perhaps open the Shevardnadze Street soon, it will be logical, indeed,' Tina Khidasheli said.

'If with this the governments wants to thank Azerbaijan for gas supply, with the same logic we can rename Rustaveli Avenue and give it the name of Nazarbayev, because a Kazakh company is building the complex of hotels there. Or the Turkish company TAV, which builds the Tbilisi airport, may require giving the name of Ata Turk to the airport, ' Zviad Dzidziguri said.

Georgian officials downplay opposition's claims, saying they are just busy with speaking, while the government is doing its business.

(source: www.geotimes.ge)

The Hague, 07 February 2007 – In continued pursuit of its objective to give a voice to all nations and peoples working without adequate representation at international institutions and organisations, the newly elected Presidency of the Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization (UNPO) has admitted six new UNPO Members. The UNPO Presidency met from 01 to 03 February 2007 at the European Parliament in Brussels, where it considered several of the countless applications received over the past period and welcomed the following nations and peoples into the organisation:

Hmong ChaoFa – Representing the 300,000 Hmong presently residing in Laos, the ChaoFa Federated State works to promote a greater degree of self-determination for all Hmong communities, as well as an end to the continued violation of their social, political, and human rights.

Inner Mongolia – Following the loss of its independence in 1947, when control of Inner Mongolia was transferred by the USSR to China following the successful expulsion of invading Japanese forces, the Inner Mongolia Peoples Party works to preserve the cultural identity of its people, aspiring to an end of Communist Rule and a confederated union with China.

Iranian Kurdistan – Since Iranian authorities annexed the Republic of Mahabad (Kurdistan) in 1946, the aspirations for autonomy and self-rule amongst Iran’s Kurdish population has been systematically repressed. The Democratic Party of Iranian Kurdistan works to promote their national rights, and aspires to a Federal and Democratic Iran with equal respect for all Iran’s minority communities.

Rehoboth Basters – Numbering approximately 35,000, the Rehoboth Basters presently reside in central Namibia. Despite colonial treaties affording their Captains Council a degree of self-determination within their ancestral lands, the Rehoboth Basters have lost control of much of this territory, and are presently campaigning for its rightful return.

Southern Azerbaijan – Working towards improving the conditions of all minorities living within Iran, the Southern Azerbaijan National Awakening Movement (SANAM) represents its Azeri population, the largest minority community living within Iran, and advocates a peaceful transition towards democracy in Iran.

Tsimshian – The Tsimshian are a Native American and First Nation people, living “inside the Skeena River”, spanning southern Alaska and northern British Columbia. Their Hereditary Chiefs negotiate with Canadian authorities in an effort to secure formal recognition of the rights of First Nations across Canada.

(source: www.unpo.org)

Technorati Tags: Azerbaijan, South Azerbaijan, Cenubi Azerbaycan

Bodil Ceballos, a member of the Swedish Parliaments Foreign Affairs committee, and the spokesperson in Foreign Affairs questions for the Green Party has made a statement about Mr. Abbas Lisani which she has sent to the Iranian Embassy in Lidingö Sweden.

On the behalf of the Swedish Green Party Ms. Ceballos ask the Iranian authorities to immediately and unconditionally release Mr. Lisani. Furthermore Mr. Ceballos demands that a detailed account for the legal procedure by the Iranian authorities must be presented since there are concerns that the procedure before the Ardabil Appeal Court may not have provided a genuine review of Mr. Lisani's case.
http://mp.se/templates/Mct_78.aspx?avdnr=13728&number=125362

TEXT OF THE STATEMENT

His Excellency Ambassador
Hassan Ghashghavi
The Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran
Box 6031
181 06 LIDINGÖ

Statement about Azerbaijani prisoner of conscience in Iran

It is with great concern we have received information about the critical health situation of the Azerbaijani political activist Mr. Abbas Lisani.

Mr. Lisani has been accused by the Iranian government of organizing demonstrations and propagating separatism in the Azeri provinces of Iran.

According to Amnesty International he is a prisoner of conscience, detained solely for the non-violent expression of his opinions,

Mr. Lisani is on hunger strike since January first as a protest against the refusal to grant him short-term leave and for the harassment of his family.

Mr. Lisani was in bad health condition already before he was sent to prison but now after his hunger strike his health condition has gradually worsened.

Amnesty International expresses concern that the procedure before the Ardabil Appeal Court may not have provided a genuine review of Mr. Lisani's case. A detailed
account for the legal procedure by the Iranian authorities must be presented.

We, the Swedish Green Party, ask the Iranian authorities to immediately and unconditionally release Mr. Lisani and make sure he receives proper medical treatment for his injuries.

Bodil Ceballos, Member of the Committee on Foreign Affairs
Spokesperson in Foreign Affairs questions for the Swedish Green Party
Bodil.ceballos@riksdagen.se