SITUATION IN AZERBAIJAN AROUSES CONCERN OF INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
Pan Armenian News
03.06.2005 04:13
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Freedom House today expressed serious concern over
the government of Azerbaijan’s increasing abuse and intimidation of
opposition activists. Azeri authorities arrested and detained more than
30 activists on May 18 and 19, part of a broader pattern of repressive
measures that effectively deny any non-governmental actor a meaningful
voice in Azeri society. Independent media, the non-governmental sector
and opposition political parties all face serious obstacles created
by the authorities. The detention of the activists comes in advance
of a scheduled public rally planned by the UGUR opposition bloc
for May 21. Freedom House called on the government of Azerbaijan to
immediately release the detained individuals and to respect the right
to freedom of assembly. “It is time for the Azerbaijani government to
demonstrate its commitment to democratic reform with genuine action”
said Freedom House Executive Director Jennifer Windsor. “Actions
speak louder than words. Unfortunately, there is a wide gap between
the regime’s pledges to implement democratic reforms and its following
through on these commitments.”