In the article titled "The Struggle Against Cockroaches," published in Iran Daily on May 12, 2006, cockroaches were depicted as stupid creatures that speak in other people's languages, incapable of using their own. A caricature of a cockroach speaking Turkish accompanied the article. This cockroach symbolized the Azerbaijan Turks and was saying, "nemene (What?..)".
It seems that the caricature was purposefully prepared. The expressions in the article reflect the viewpoint of the chauvinistic Farsi dominance in Iran towards the Turks. The implementers of this insulting plan consider themselves subordinate to an absolute power. Fearlessly taking advantage of the means provided by the dictatorship, these individuals have recently escalated their insults against ethnic groups. They do everything possible to prevent Iranian Turks from learning and using their native tongue. However, these individuals fail to realize that the policy of assimilation against people has long been defeated in Iran, and ethnic groups are more determined than ever to preserve their customs, languages, and cultures. People have recognized that Farsi chauvinism is behind these propaganda activities against religions and sects, and that their sole purpose is to erase ethnic cultures and languages. Today, developments in different parts of Iran indicate that ethnic groups are ready to defend their identities, honors, and the heritage of their ancestors.
Meanwhile, having reached genuine national awakening, the revolutionary people of Iranian Azerbaijan reacted strongly against the insults from Iran Daily. Thousands took to the streets, bravely defending their honor and dignity, and organized a great historical protest demonstration. This reaction is not a temporary or spontaneous incident triggered by the insults of a newspaper; rather, it is an explosion of rage against the policy of humiliation that has been constantly implemented by the media and administrations of the Islamic Republic against ethnic groups for years. This situation is a rebellion against the oppressive politics of Farsi chauvinism that began during the reign of Shah Reza and intensified during the Islamic Republic.
The Islamic Republic is astonished and has been thrown into disarray by the significant reaction of the Azeri people. They even decided to close down Iran Daily and arrest its editor-in-chief and the cartoonist. However, one cannot resolve the issues faced by the Azeri Turks and other ethnic groups in Iran simply by arresting a journalist and a cartoonist. The problem lies in the scornful and humiliating attitude of Farsi chauvinism towards other people, framed within the long-standing assimilation policy. Insulting ethnic groups is viewed as ordinary in Iran. People will continue to react in such ways as long as the regime maintains its current policies and perspectives toward ethnic groups. The accumulation of such reactions will soon undermine the chauvinist Farsi leadership.
We, as members of the Turkish community in Iran, support the rightful reaction of the people of Azerbaijan. We consider the insult to the Azeri people to be an insult to us. We declare our solidarity with the courageous people of Azerbaijan. We warn the dominant Farsi chauvinism that as long as they maintain cultural assimilation, oppression, and the forceful confiscation of people’s homeland, they will face uncontrollable events of much greater magnitude in Turkmensahra, just as has been the case throughout history.
سازمان آزادیبخش ترکمن صحرا – تورکمن صحرا آزادلیق قوراماسی
TÜRKMENSAHRA AZATLYK GURAMASY
TURKMENSAHRA LIBERATION ORGANIZATION