Arif Hajili: Usurpation of Power Will Not Save Aliyev (UPDATED)

Ilham Aliyev today is ashamed to remember his calls to people to keep their savings in mantas and he has forgotten his promises that Azerbaijan will not experience problems from the fall in oil prices, said the leader of Musavat, Arif Hajili.

The failure of Aliyev’s economic policy has shown that he is an incompetent person who does not understand the realities of life.

The same situation is in the political system, where there is no not only strategy, but also a basic understanding of what is happening.

Rejecting reforms and dialogue with the opposition, the authorities actually rendered a verdict on themselves, because it will be impossible to infinitely usurp power by police force.

‘They are not even able to explain to their citizens why we need these changes to the Constitution. Until now, no one has given clarification about this. The authorities have lost their ability to adequately assess the situation; they believe they can create a second North Korea here and rule in the same style. We do not want this!

We are worthy of a different life, we demand the government's report, reform, rights and freedoms, and we will achieve this,’ said Hajili.

In conclusion, he called for joint efforts with the National Council, and called for a joint meeting of all the opposition forces on September 24. His proposal was received with enthusiasm and applause.

In conclusion of the meeting a resolution was read, which contains requirements to cancel the referendum on 26 September, to release all political prisoners, to solve social problems, and to create normal conditions for entrepreneurs.

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2016 September 18 (Sunday) 16:33:08

Aliyev is on the way of Gaddafi and Mubarak. They also formed monarchical authoritarian regimes, put their children and relatives on the posts, formed police states and thought they guaranteed their future.

But history has shown otherwise. Not able to learn lessons from history, Ilham Aliyev should realize that the same future awaits him, the D-18 movement’s leader Ruslan Izzatli, said.

He reported about numerous facts of the detention of opposition activists, who tried to come to Baku from the regions for the rally. -02B-

2016 September 18 (Sunday) 16:57:09

The actions and steps of President Ilham Aliyev are a direct violation of the Constitution of Azerbaijan. He broke his presidential oath - not secured the rights and freedoms of his citizens, was not able to protect their interests, not to mention the restoration of territorial integrity. This was announced at the meeting of Musavat by a member of the Board of the party, Osman Kazimov.

Ilham Aliyev sells out the national wealth, surrenders the national interests, cooperates with authoritarian regimes and damages relations with the West. ‘All this is the result of deliberate and purposeful policy of the regime in the face of President Ilham Aliyev,’ he said. Kazimov’s speech was interrupted with shouts: ‘Resign.’

The desire to seize all the power and assign the Vice-presidents proves one thing: Aliyev does not believe anyone or anything and he hopes to retain power by appointment of his relatives to the highest positions.

The authorities intend to further trample the rights and freedoms of citizens and to amend the Constitution, which is absolutely unacceptable. ‘No referendum!’ said Kazimov, calling on intellectuals and the police to refuse to support Aliyev’s regime, which encroaches on the Constitution. -02B-

2016 September 18 (Sunday) 15:53:47

Supporters and members of the party Musavat gathered at 15:00 p.m. for the sanctioned rally at the Mahsul stadium in the Yasamal district of Baku.

The rally is held under the slogan ‘Long Live the Republic!’ and directed against the adoption of the amendments to the Constitution put on the referendum on 26 September.

The action is attended by about 2,000 people.

The former leader of Musavat, Isa Gambar, said in his speech that the current social problems of the country and gross violations of human rights and freedoms are a natural result of the authoritarian regime of Ilham Aliyev.

‘Instead of dealing with these problems, Ilham Aliyev’s regime is busy strengthening the family power,’ Gambar said.

‘Why should one family in the country be entitled to all the benefits and why should all the others be in the observer role?

The opposition has repeatedly offered normal dialogue with the authorities to carry out reforms, but the Aliyev regime lives with other plans and ideas.

In Azerbaijan there is not struggle for power, but there is struggle of different values. On the one hand it is Bolshevik and authoritarian values, and on the other hand, it is the values of democracy and justice,’ Gambar said.  -02B-