Tabriz-based student activist Ali Hamzazadeh shared his views and experiences regarding the student movement in Iranian Azerbaijan in an interview with Voice of America. The editor of the now-discontinued Açıq Söz student publication believes that in countries like Iran, where political parties' activities are not permitted, the student movement has become one of the strongest forces of protest and criticism against the government.
Hamzazadeh, who has been arrested multiple times by security forces for his activities in Tabriz, explained that due to the inability of the central political movements to meet the political and social demands of students in Iranian Azerbaijan, they launched an independent movement.
Hamzazadeh emphasized the significant role of authors like Mohammad Taghi Zehtabi, Dr. Javad Heyat, and Ali Tabrizli in the initiation of the independent student movement in Iranian Azerbaijan, as well as in the formation of the core ideas and principles of the Azerbaijani student movement.
He also mentioned an incident in 1995, when an Iranian television survey, which asked a series of questions about Turks, led to protests by Azerbaijani students at Tehran University. The survey included questions such as "Would you marry a Turk? If you had a daughter, would you be willing to give her in marriage to a Turkish man? Would you like to live in a neighborhood with many Turks? Would you be willing to work with a Turk in an office?" Hamzazadeh recalled.
"The survey was sent to Tabriz students through Azerbaijani students in Tehran, and on May 9, 1950, Tabriz University witnessed a major protest, which is now commemorated as Student Day in the Azerbaijani student movement," Hamzazadeh stated.
While studying at Tabriz Azad University, Hamzazadeh noted that his activities were restricted by university officials. "We carried out our work; for example, on Mother Language Day, we distributed books, and we organized Turkish language courses without the university's permission," he said.
Hamzazadeh also mentioned that when he was the editor-in-chief of the Açıq Söz publication, he was summoned and interrogated by university security.
"After the second issue of the magazine, they tried to prevent its publication. We sent the electronic version of the magazine to a magazine festival in Tehran, and our magazine succeeded in terms of quality at that festival, so they couldn't ban its publication. The magazine was published six times in one year, but they prevented the publication of the seventh issue," he explained.
Hamzazadeh stated that currently, there are severe restrictions imposed on student activists in Iranian Azerbaijan, but the Azerbaijani student movement continues on its path. He added that when activities are not allowed, they are carried out secretly.