Baku, Fineko/abc.az. The Azerbaijani parliamentarians start backing more and more the idea of country’s acceding to the Council of Europe Framework for the Protection of National Minorities and adoption of the Bill on National Minorities.

MP Elmira Ahundova, a member of the Parliamentary Social Policy Committee, emphasized that Ukraine, and Georgia had already acceded to the Convention and Azerbaijan needed to do that as well.

“As an MP on behalf of Masalli district where many Talishs and reps of other national minorities are residing, I consider that there are large problems with language and cultural affairs. For example, some indicate restriction of number of hours given for study of Talish language in primary school. Talish language is taught once a week and Talish themselves think it is not enough.

I also consider that it is necessary to improve Talish language study in primary school as the Talish children lose Talish language. The Talishs raise the issue that northern regions’ TV and radio channels broadcast in Lezgin language, but one can hardly find a channel broadcasting in Talish language. Besides, Talishs raise the matter of quality of Talish language textbooks which is quite poor,” Akhundova said.

Besides, some demographic problems have appeared in Azerbaijan.

“If earlier many people registered in title nation, there is observed quite an opposite process when people want to register themselves as Talishs.

But all these processes should be regulated in legislative form. That is why I think that ratification of the Convention is not a bad idea. What should we fear? We are a multinational state and must be interested in development of all nations and ethnic groups. That is why it would be right to discuss and pass the bill on national minorities. Moreover, Azerbaijan, should accede to the Convention as a CE member,” Akhundova said.

16.11.2009 10:09