YEREVAN. - Human Rights Defender of Armenia, Arman Tatoyan, on Tuesday visited the place of residence of Shahin Mirzoyev and his family, who fled Azerbaijan.  Mirzoyev, who is an activist of National Talysh Movement (NTM), journalist of opposition Tolishi Sado newspaper and member of the Republican Center of Talysh Culture, recently claimed asylum in Armenia.  

After the meeting, Tatoyan received Mirzoyev in his office.

During the meeting, Mirzoyev noted that he and his family were subjected to persecutions and inhuman treatment for raising issues related to the Talysh culture and identity. According to him, many of them are even afraid of speaking about their origin. The persecutions against him were especially strong given his profession as a journalist.

In Mirzoyev’s words, such policy is conducted against all national minorities. Even a list of banned names is used in the republic, which includes the names of representatives of national minorities, including the Talysh people.

In Azerbaijan, hatred to Armenians is “planted” in the society at a state level starting from kindergarten, the journalist noted.  

During and after the April events in 2016, the Azerbaijani army soldiers, who engaged in cruelties against Armenians, regardless of the latter’s being elderly people, women or children, received state-level support. The society is misinformed through press which is controlled by the authorities, Mirzoyev stressed.

During the meeting, Arman Tatoyan provided necessary legal consultation to Shahin Mirzoyev.