Prominent lawyers: Say "No" to Ilham Aliyev

A group of prominent lawyers of Azerbaijan adopted an appeal to the public on the eve of the presidential election.

"Unfortunately, like all elections in recent years, these elections can not be considered free or fair," the statement says.

Thus, the election campaign is underway against violations of fundamental human rights and freedoms, tightening laws, restrictions on human rights, unequal opportunities of candidates from the democratic camp, compared with the candidate from the authorities, pressure on the opposition parties and civil society institutions.

Carried out in such a situation, the elections do not meet minimum democratic standards. What is happening gives grounds to assert that there is no intention of the authorities to hold fair elections.

There is no doubt that the local authorities, law enforcement agencies, election commissions, courts, and the bribed numerous "observation missions" will be used to falsify the elections," according to lawyers .

"We, like most members of society, are convinced that Ilham Aliyev has no moral right to rule the country in five years, not just because of his third presidency contrary to the Constitution and the fundamental principles of democracy, but also because for the past 10 years of his reign there is a lag in industry, agriculture, science, culture and education.

The economy was made ??dependent on oil, corruption and monopoly were raised to the level of public policy, at the expense of repression they installed virtually a one-party political system, and the country is governed by the rules of the Middle Ages," the statement says.

5 more years of this power will mean the continuation of soldiers' deaths in a peaceful environment, torture in the army, police and prisons, politically motivated arrests, violations of property rights, meager pensions, embezzlement of budget funds, spending large sums on crazy projects, and social injustice.

Therefore, the lawyers urged people to come to the polls and say no to such a power.

The appeal was signed by Intiqam Aliyev Vidadi Mirkamal, Alovsat Aliyev, Annagi Hajibayli, Erkin Gadirli, Fuad Agayev, Alasgar Mammadov, Asabali Mustafayev, Rashid Hajily, Anar Gasymly, Gurban Mammadov, Khalid Bagirov, Yalcin Imanov, Samir Isayev, Aslan Ismailov, Akif Alizadeh, Namizad Safarov, Alaif Hasanov, Khalid Agaliyev and Nemat Karimli. -06D-