In Baku, oppositionists and journalists tell French President about human rights violations in Azerbaijan

Within his two-day visit to Azerbaijan, the French President Francois Hollande has discussed the human rights situation in Azerbaijan with journalists and members of public and oppositional political organizations.

The meeting was attended by Erkin Gadirli, a co-founder of the civil movement " Republican Alternative" (ReAl); Isa Gambar, the leader of the "Musavat" Party; Ali Kerimli, the chairman of the Popular Front Party of Azerbaijan (PFPA); Khadija Ismayilova, an investigative journalist and an employee of the Azerbaijani service of "Radio Liberty"; Mekhman Aliev, the director of the "Turan" News Agency; and Leyla Yunus, the director of the Institute for Peace and Democracy (IPD).

The French President was informed about the status of human rights and freedoms in Azerbaijan, including the situation "with the freedoms of expression, association and assembly, as well as about election frauds, harassment of citizens for political reasons and corruption problems," Mekhman Aliev, one of the participants of the meeting, told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

The activists believe that the visit of the French President may have an impact on the democratization process in Azerbaijan.