State Department Reacts To The Violence during the Peaceful Protest in Baku

Washington urges Azerbaijan’s authorities to respect human rights and fundamental freedoms including by allowing all citizens to express their opinions in a peaceful manner, TURAN's U.S. correspondent reports.

"Peaceful protests are an element of an open political system. We fully support the human right to exercise the fundamental freedoms of expression and peaceful assembly as guaranteed by the Azerbaijani Constitution," a State Department spokesperson said on Tuesday in response to TURAN's inquiry about last weekend's violent disruption of the peaceful protest in Baku.

"We urge Azerbaijan’s authorities to respect human rights and fundamental freedoms including by allowing all - citizens to express their opinions in a peaceful manner," the spokesperson noted.

"As we do around the world, we also call on Azerbaijan’s government to ensure media safety and protect journalists’ ability to do their jobs without fear of violence, threats, or unjust detention" - a State Department spokesperson added.

Alex Raufoglu

Washington D.C.