Azerbaijani oppositional leaders tell foreign diplomats about human rights violations

On April 24, the socio-political situation in Azerbaijan was subject of discussion at the meeting in Baku of the diplomatic corps with the leaders of the oppositional Civil Movement for Democracy" Public Chamber" (CMDPC). The participants of the meeting refer to its confidential character and refuse to comment on diplomats' statements, but note that such contacts are always useful.

Gambar: opposition focused attention on human rights issues in Azerbaijan

The meeting at the headquarters of the "Musavat" Party was attended by Ambassadors and other senior officials of the Embassies of EU countries - Germany, France, Great Britain, Austria, Belgium, Italy, Greece, the Netherlands, as well as of the United States, Turkey, Switzerland, Norway, and representatives of the Missions of the European Union, Council of Europe and OSCE. The opposition of Azerbaijan was represented by the members of the Coordination Board of the "Public Chamber" Isa Gambar, Ali Kerimli, Panakh Gusein, Zafar Guliev, Leila Alieva and Ilgar Ibragimoglu.

In the course of the meeting, which lasted for about three hours, they discussed the political situation in the country, and problems with human rights and political prisoners, the press service of CMDPC reports.

Diplomats have refrained from comments after the meeting.

In his turn, Isa Gambar, the leader of the "Musavat" Party, told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent that the opposition has focused the attention on the problems of political prisoners, including the arrested journalists, restrictions on the freedom of assembly, property rights violations, repression against members of social protests, and the discriminatory nature of amendments to the Law on Political Parties.

Specific reference was made to the latest facts of pressure on the press and civil society, in particular, the beating of journalist Idrak Abbasov and arrest of Oktay Gyulalyev, an activist of the "Kura" office, Mr Gambar said.

Novruzov: foreign diplomats "forget" about the rights of victims of Karabakh conflict

Various meetings of ambassadors, including with representatives of the opposition, are "normal phenomena," said Siyavush Novruzov, an MP and Deputy Executive Secretary of the ruling party "Eni Azerbaijan".

However, he expressed regret that foreign diplomats "forget" about the rights of victims of the Karabakh conflict, internally displaced persons from the occupied territories, and 200,000 refugees from Armenia.

"Once ambassadors are holding such meetings, let them not forget about these categories of people," said Novruzov as quoted by the "APA" Agency.