Azerbaijani Associations in Sweden (AFI) will organize seminars on Mother Language Day in Stockholm and Gothenburg

International Mother Language Day occurs every year on February 21, founded by UNESCO in November 1999 and also it is recognized by FN. It is important for every human being to have the opportunity to use and get good at their native tongue - a right that is obvious to many, but far from for all.

Azerbaijan National Association in Sweden (AFI) on the anniversary of Black January will organize a ceremony in Gothenburg.

Azerbaijanis call it "Black January" meaning the massacre of civilians that occured on January 19 and 20, 1990, when Soviet tanks and troops took to the streets of Baku. Operation "Strike" (Udar) was intended to crush the makings of an independent movement in Azerbaijan. Officially, 137 people were killed; unofficially, the figures swell to at least 300 and possibly more. Even to this day- more than 20 years later, the real truth is unknown as apparently, most of the documents - 200 boxes, according to some accounts - were confiscated and sent back to Moscow by the Soviet Army when it was clear that the Soviet Union was on the verge of collapse.

A great leader and turkish hero Rauf Denktash is gone

Rauf Denktash, the first president of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, died Friday 13th January 2012 in Nicosia after a long illness, said the current leader of Republic . Denktash, was crucial to independent Turkish Cyprus. For those who recognize Northern Cyprus as a state, considered Mr Denktash as the nation's father. The Turkish Cypriots chose him for their president in 1985, which he remained until 2005.

Sarkozy crosses the border

In France, president Sarkozy and his government introduced a law proposal which will make to illegally deny the mass murder genocide of Armenians in 1915 was the genocide. The proposal has been not unexpected at all and caused some commotion, annoyance, angry both in Turkey and among the French people of Turkish origin.

Azerbaijani National Association protest France's decision regarding the so-called genocide of Armenians

The days before Christmas, the French parliament approved a bill that makes it an offense to deny the Armenian genocide. The law must also be approved by the House of Lords, if it is done it will be punishable up to one year in prison and SEK 300,000 in fines [DN]. Previously, there are laws in Australia, Switzerland and Uruguay against denial of the 1915 genocide. These laws are similar to those found in a number of countries against the denial of the Holocaust.

Azerbaijani National Association (AFI) will protest the pro Armenian propaganda in Uppsala

17th January 2012 a seminar will be held in connection with publication of the book called "The Genocide of Armenians - speaking with Swedish eyes" in Uppsala. From AFI side, we will participate in this seminar. If the organizers of this seminar is interested in the truth, we should ask them to allow us to present the facts about the massacre in khodjaly committed by the Armenians. The following is detailed information on this seminar.

In an emotional meeting, honored Azerbaijani National Association (AFI), the memory of Changiz Bakhtavar in Stockholm

 A few anonymous witness told that they saw 2 people go to his office after they left he was found dead by his working colleagues. This year AFI honored the memory of Changiz Bakhtavar in Stockholm it was an emotional meeting especially when his son Babak Bakhtavar sang his father's favorite song. The public was engaged and some cried....................................

Azerbaijani minority rights to freedom of expression in Iran

Amnesty International's Drewery Dyke talks to Fakhteh Zamani, Association for Defense of Azerbaijani Political Prisoners in Iran. The Azerbaijani minority in Iran, have been prevented from exercising their right to freedom of expression and assembly by participating in largely peaceful demonstrations over the environmental situation of Lake Oroumieh. Up to scores of others may have been arbitrarily arrested, and we have received unconfirmed reports that at least two demonstrators may have been killed.

Azerbaijani National Association (AFI) organized a concert night at the south Theatre in Stockholm

In 2010, 11th September AFI organized a concert night at the south Theatre in Stockholm. In this show Hassan Damichis group perfomed. We should add that Hassan Damirchi is a famous musician from South Azerbaijan which is located in the territory of Iran. AFI invited him and his group to Sweden. It was an emotional concert with an engaged audience.

Azerbaijani National Association (AFI)criticized the Social Democrats' hypocrisy

The last years have Azerbaijani National Association attempted to inform the public in Sweden on the massacre in khojaly. Unfortunately in the case of the massacre in khojaly the Social Democrats have shown double standards from one side in the case of the massacre in khojaly the Social Democrats have ignored the event. But from the other side they have assumed a very active role in the Armenian genocide that Armenians claim has happened ...............

Azerbaijani National Association organized a ceremony to honor the memory of Qulamrza Amiani and his two brothers in Stockholm

Well known engineer, nationalist and human rights activist died in a suspicious car crash in South Azerbaijan together with his 2 brothers. According to Azerbaijani sources the car which crashed with Qulamrza's car belongs to Iran's revolutionary guard.The accident took place in year 2008, 23rd october. By this reason Human rights activists wanted a Impartial review but Iranian regime did not allow it. The regime tried to cover up all investigations about the car crash. Which led to more suspicioun regarding the crash. Many human rights activists suspects that the car accident was not an accident and Iran's regime is responsible.

The Iranian Parliament failed to take an action to save Lake Urmia, which is drying up rapidly

On August 16, 2011, Islamic Consultative Assembly of Iran rejected a motion to invest funding to increase the inflow of water into Lake Urmia to save it from a complete extinction. The motion was recommended by the deputies from the city of Urmia asking to take an immediate action to save the Lake.

The Turkish delegation from Sweden in Istanbul decided that Sattar Svegin will represent Sweden

The Turkish Delegation from Sweden at the meeting with the World Business Council in Istanbul decided that Svegin who is chairman of the Azerbaijani National Association  and a businessman to represent Sweden. He was elected with the support of 21 votes. In the meeting with the World Business Council the participants discussed the business and lobbying abroad. Sattar Sevgin was congratulated by Azerbaijanis when he was elected to represent Sweden.

Azerbaijani National Association hosted a special ceremony in defense of linguistic rights in Iran

According to the Azerbaijan sources, more than 30 million Azerbaijanis live in Iran, despite this, they are not allowed to study in their native language, those who defend this right can be imprisoned, tortured and lose their jobs. Iranian Ministry of Culture ordered in several occasions that it is banned to use Azerbaijani language on tombstones and shop signs.................

Sattar Sevgin Chairman of the Azerbaijani National Association attended the meeting with European Parliament Members

 European Parliament had organized two-day meeting with the Turkish national federations in the 2011 April 10. Sattar Sevgin Chairman of the Azerbaijani National Association also participated in this meeting, he briefed the participants on the violation of human rights in South Azerbaijan which is located in the territory of Iran. Anna Maria Corazza Bildt, the Swedish member of the European Parliament showed interest in this type of information. She wanted to stay in contact with the Azerbaijani National Association.

Azerbaijani National Association organized a demonstration outside the Iranian Embassy in Stockholm

Azerbaijani National Association organized a demonstration outside the Iranian Embassy in Stockholm In 2011, 2nd June  . Participants in this demonstration condemned Iran's interference in Azerbaijan's domestic affairs demanded that the Iranian regime respects the independence of Azerbaijan. The participants condemned Iran's violations of human rights in South Azerbaijan which is located in the territory of Iran and demanded that the Iranian regime, stop supporting terrorism and  respect international law. Mass media in Azerbaijan reported on the demonstration of wide extent.

Azerbaijani National Association in Sweden celebrated children's day in the royal garden

In 2011, the 17th of April it was organized a multicultural celebration of children's day in the royal garden in Stockholm. As in previous years  Azerbaijani National Association in Sweden participated  in this celebration and represented Azerbijani children……….

Azerbaijani National Association celebrated Son Charshanba in Stockholm

 In connection with the Son Charshanba Azerbaijani National Association held a ceremony in Stockholm, the capital of Sweden. Sattar Sevgin chairman of Azerbaijani National Association welcomed the participants and stressed that the celebration of the Son Charshanba and Novruz who are old Azerbaijani traditions. He hoped that democratic processes are making progress in the Republic of Azerbaijan. He also pointed out the violation of human rights in South Azerbaijan………………..

Azerbaijani Women’s day in Gothenburg

Azerbaijani National Association in Sweden In cooperation with Women's Day held a ceremony in Gothenburg on 6th March 2011. This ceremony was attended by 80 women, it lasted four hours. This ceremony was begun by Bayin Khanim, she congratulated the Women's Day to all women in Azerbaijan. She also thanked the Azerbaijani National Association for organizing this celebration…………..

Have you ever, dear readers, heard of the Khojaly massacre of February 25-26, 1992? Or do you have any idea where on earth Khojaly might be?

Khojaly was a small village with a population of approximately 2,000 people in Nagorno-Karabakh, the disputed enclave between Azerbaijan and Armenia. After the immigration wave at the start of 1990, nevertheless, its population increased to almost 6,000. First came the Meskhetian Turks who were deported during the World War II to Central Asia by the Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin, and then Azeri families which were sent packing from Hankendi (Stepanakert) by the Armenians.

CNN: Photojournalist captures war and revolution from Azerbaijan

Seminar in Stockholm

In cooperation with founding of national government in south Azerbaijan we will have a seminar in Stockholm. In this seminar Arif Keskin will be the head speaker.
Sweden: Stockholm
Day: 18 December, between 12:30 to 16:00
Location: Katasalen, ABF - Stockholm, Sveavagen 41
Tel: 070 982 00 00

Chairman of the Azerbaijan National Association meeting with the Deputy Secretary General of Sweden's parliament

Chairman of the Azerbaijan National Association Sattar Sevigin met Ulf Christoffersson who is the Deputy general secretary, the 25th of February 2011. At this meeting, Sattar Sevigin came with information about ethnic cleansing in Khojaly committed by Armenians. And occupation of 20% of Azerbaijan's territory by Armenians who were helped by the Russians.

Azerbaijani National Association in Sweden Defend political prisoners' rights in South Azerbaijan

Azerbaijani National Association in Sweden started a signature campaign in Stockholm, the capital of Sweden. It took place in the 2 June 2011 and the aim of this was to defend political prisoners' rights in South Azerbaijan