The National Council canceled a rally on September 24 because of the provocation of the authorities

Baku/19.09.16/Turan: The National Council of Democratic Forces (NCDF) refused to hold a rally scheduled for September 24 rally against the referendum on amendments to Azerbaijani Constitution, according to the NCDF-member Eldaniz Guliyev. According to him, the reason for the cancellation of the rally  became arbitrary arrest of  protesters on 17 September.

Because the authorities detain even the participants  of authorized  rallies we cannot talk about guaranteed freedom. In order to avoid the arrests of innocent people, the rally is canceled, he said.

In turn, in a statement  of the NCDF says  that "illegal and violent actions against participants in peaceful rallies confirm the full legitimacy of the referendum." The Azerbaijani authorities have made numerous illegal actions against participants in rallies on 11 and 17 September, tried to disrupt the  agreed rally, prevented its members.

Before the  rally were detained 86 activists of the PPFA, and  the roads leading in Baku were   blocked the rally on 17 September in the country. Despite these obstacles, the rallies were held on a high level. "Thousands of people, despite the heavy rain, gathered in the square and said "no" to plans to legalize the monarchy,"  reads the statement.

After  the rally the police and people in civilian clothes made provocations , beat and  arrested dozens of people. This was done in order to intimidate people and prevent the new rallies.

The authorities have admitted that there is no freedom of assembly in Azerbaijan. The process of amending the Constitution is carried out in the absence of competition, discussion and protest opportunities. This shows that the referendum on September 26will be held  in an atmosphere of violation of basic rights. "In view of the contradictions to  the Constitution, the referendum could not initially be legitimate, and the break of peace  and authorized rallies by means of violence once again confirmed it,"   reads the statement of the NCDF. --06D--