Baku: opposition treats ban of picket in support of pensioners as unconstitutional

The Baku executive authorities have refused to sanction a picket scheduled for November 19 and applied for by the "Movement for Democracy and Welfare" (MDW) with the aim to demand a reduction of the retirement age and higher pensions, Gubad Ibadoglu, an economic expert and the head of the MDW, told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

According to his story, they had planned to hold the picket in front of the building of the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection of the Population. "We wanted to hand a number of our demands over to the ministry. First of all, we demand to reduce the retirement age," Mr Ibadoglu said.

Besides, according to his version, the MDW offers to increase pensions. "In 2019, the minimum labour pension was doubled and today amounts to 200 manats (about USD 118). Minimum social benefits are even smaller. These population categories are most vulnerable; they need more support because they have additional expenses for treatment, care and special nutrition," Gubad Ibadoglu has explained, adding that on November 16, the MDW received an official letter from the Baku executive branch of power stating that holding the picket was "impractical." "We treat it as a violation of the right to the freedom of assembly," the MDW leader has concluded, adding that they decided to sue the Baku executive authority for the ban.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on November 17, 2019 at 12:29 pm MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.