NSDF called on Government of Azerbaijan to respect freedom of assembly

Baku/03.10.22/Turan: The National Council of Democratic Forces (NSDF) called on the world community not to remain indifferent to the gross violation of fundamental human rights and freedoms by the Azerbaijani authorities and to put pressure on official Baku to fulfill its international obligations. 

This is stated in a NSDF statement due to the police dispersal of the opposition protest on September 30.

The NSDF pointed to the use of excessive force by the police. Before the start of the action and during the demonstration, 177 people were detained.

"The authorities actually banned the holding of protest actions in the country after the NSDF rally on January 19, 2019," the statement said.

The NSDF demanded the lifting of this illegal ban and the observance of the constitutional freedom of citizens' assembly.

The NSDF called on the citizens of Azerbaijan to be socially and politically active, ready for mass, peaceful struggle, especially in the current period of serious global changes.

"Our people should know that only their own peaceful and resolute struggle can put an end to the total suppression of human rights by the authorities," the statement continues.

The action on September 30 was organized by the PPFA demanding the removal from the agenda of the Parliament of the reactionary draft new law on parties, democratic reforms and free elections in the country.

The Interior Ministry explained the suppression of the action as being due to the lack of coordination with the authorities and denied information about the detentions of participants. -03B06-