17.07.2002 - Source: Minority Rights Group International

Minority Rights Group International: Ethnic Azeris concentrated mainly in the province of Kvemo-Kartli, along the border with Azerbaijan ("The South Caucasus: Nationalism, Conflict and Minorities") [#14648],  [ID 5045]

"The Azeris are currently the second largest minority in Georgia, concentrated mainly in the rural areas along the border with Azerbaijan (in the province of Kvemo- Kartli). In 1989 they numbered 307,5000 (5.7 per cent), 18,000 of them in Tbilisi (1.4 per cent). During the perestroika and Gamsakhurdia periods, Azeris articulated demands for autonomy to elevate their status within Georgia. However, a lack of support from Azerbaijan and the cautious policies of the Georgian leadership diffused tensions. Currently, the Governor of Kvemo-Kartli is eager to demonstrate the region’s loyalty to Tbilisi. The local Azeris are likely to remain passive as they are aware that the Aliev regime would not intervene on their behalf. Moreover, around 15,000 ethnic Georgians live in the Zakataly region of Azerbaijan, so both sides have a stake in promoting
inter-ethnic peace. Many abuses and much violence occur because of
existing border and customs arrangements. Smugglers crossing the border are occasionally killed by Georgian border guards, which arouses local protests. Policing ethnically mixed areas is also an issue, as the police are drawn
mainly from the Georgian group. Otherwise, the same issues of language (many people speak only Azeri), education, labour migration, political participation, and access to information (the population watches TV from Azerbaijan and occasionally from Turkey) and law affect the Azeri minority in the same way
as the Javakheti Armenians. The Azeri minority has six MPs out of 235. In 2001, some schools using Azeri as the medium of instruction were closed in Azeri-populated areas in Georgia. Plans have been drawn up to change the
names of some Azeri villages. This has led some representatives of the intelligentsia of Azerbaijan to issue an appeal to President Shevardnadze."

Document(s): Open document

2002 - Source: Caucasus Institute for Peace, Democracy and Development

Report on the Azeri, Armenian and Meskhetian minorities ("Ethnic-Confessional Groups and Challenges to Civic Integration in Georgia. Azeri, Javakheti Armenian and Muslim Meskhetian Communities.") [#8276],  [ID 5043]

Document(s): Open document
cpidd-geo2002-minorities.pdf