The United States Embassy released the following statement about the protests were held on April 2:
The Embassy of the United States wishes to express its concern s about actions taken by the Government of Azerbaijan to prevent the peaceful assembly of opposition groups in central Baku on April 2, including the detention of opposition activists in the days before the planned protests. The U.S. calls on the Government of Azerbaijan to respect the rights of all its citizens to freedom of assembly and freedom of expression, which are guaranteed under the Azerbaijani Constitution and international human rights instruments, including OSCE commitments. Respect for these rights is essential for promoting the sort of dialogue between citizens and their government that forms the basis for positive change and the deeper development of a culture of democracy in any society.
We call for those detained in association with demonstrations to be afforded due process under the law, with open and transparent hearings and adequate access to legal counsel.
Today, Public Chamber held a meeting in Fountain Sqaure, about 2 p.m. BakuPost was informed that about 200 people took part in this meeting. Protesters demanded that the people in power must resign. During this meeting about 70 people were arrested.
Come to the blog again for more feature news about the protest later!
Baku-in March 31, 2011 was held the meeting by a group of young people who mainly were from the New Azerbaijan Party (YAP). This is a governmental party and they did the protest against to Ali Karimli- the head of the reformist wing of the Azerbaijan Popular Front Party (APFP). The protesters started to march in front of the building where Ali Karimli lives. The main slogans were like that- “Shame on Ali Karimli!”, “There is no place to those who like Ali Karimli sold our lands to armenians”. “Shame on a treachery”. The protesters demonstrated their attitude to the 11 March and upcoming 2 April meeting by a group of oppositional young people.
More 10 thousand users of Facebook Social Network were invited to the “2 April – Great Day of Rage”.
The group called “ 2 April – A Great Day of Rage” was created on Facebook social network. The group says it will hold a meeting at 2 p.m in Fountain Square on 2 April. According to the information received by Baku Post , 915 persons have responded on Facebook that they will attend the protest and 402 person replied they maybe would attend and participate. Facebook also reports that 1645 people will not attend . More then seven thousands people have not replied yet.
Elnur Majidli, who is one of the founders of the group, told to the Baku Post that “2 April – Great Day of Rage” will be continuation of the Great People’s Day.
“That is only project of people. It is organized separately from the political parties. So that the National meeting of the Public Chamber which will be held on the same day is carried out on the basic of the leading opposition parties’ plans. We tried that to protect social tension in the country, to make people more courageous and to make the power to reform.” Continue reading →
