Georgians in Azerbaijan Prohibited from Giving their Children Georgian Names

In the historic Georgian province of Saingilo, transferred to Azerbaijan during the Soviet era, the rights of ethnic Georgians, both Christian and Muslim, are being violated, according to the Kakheti Information Center.

Georgian families in the Azerbaijani districts of Zaqatala and Balakan are not allowed to give their newborn children Georgian names — they must choose a name from the list submitted by local authorities. In recent years, five Georgian priests were forced to leave Saingilo, upon the request of Azerbaijani authorities, reports Blagovest-info.

In historic Ereti, according to decision by Azerbaijani authorities, Azerbaijani citizens of Georgian origin (which amount to more than 10,000 in Saingilo) can go to prayers only twice a year: on May 6 and Nov. 23, during the celebration of St. George, while Georgians of Muslim faith are not given the opportunity to regain their historical surnames.