Azerbaijan: opposition continues protests demanding democratic reforms

The Civil Movement for Democracy "Public Chamber" (CMDPC) intends to continue protests demanding democratic reforms in Azerbaijan. This was announced on June 28 by Isa Gambar, a member of the Coordinating Council of the CMDPC, a leader of the party "Musavat".

"The main purpose of the "Public Chamber" is the achievement of fundamental democratic reforms. To achieve this goal we must come out for early parliamentary election and the legitimization of at least one of the three branches of power," said Isa Gambar on June 28 at the session of the CMDPC.

He urged all political forces interested in the democratization of Azerbaijan to consolidate around the CMDPC. According to Isa Gambar, the CMDPC is acknowledged as an active driving force in the struggle for democracy both in Azerbaijan and abroad.

Ali Kerimli, another member of the Coordinating Council of the CMDPC, a leader of the Azerbaijani Popular Front Party (APFP) said that the authorities' repressions would not stop the struggle for democracy in the country.

"The authorities intended to intimidate the supporters of the democracy by the arrests of the activists after the rally of April, but they failed. People came out to protest on April 17 and on June 19. We should engage an increasingly large share of the population in the protest rallies. However, we do not intend to be limited only by the methods of street protests. We will use the intellectual potential of the democratic forces to present to the society alternative programs to solve the problems of the country," said Ali Kerimli.

The next opposition rally is proposed to be held on July 17 in Baku.