17:17, 13 December 2008

March in defence of human rights held in Azerbaijani capital

On December 12, the "Dalga" (Wave) Youth Movement held an action in Baku within the Week of Human Rights on the issue of restrictions imposed on the freedom of assembly in Azerbaijan.

Two groups of activists moved towards each other along Gasan Aliev Street and met at the crossing with Azadlyg Avenue. Along their march, young people spread leaflets to passers-by with ayats (quotations) from the Koran on human rights.

Since the Movement made no public preview of the place and time of the action, the march passed without any police interference. The next action of "Dalga" dedicated to violations of citizens' ecological rights is planned for December 13.

The Movement is holding, from December 7 to December 14, the Week of Human Rights dated to the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The programme of the Week includes various actions aimed to draw attention to the issues of human rights in Azerbaijan and violations of the rights of their compatriots in Iran.

Author: Faik Medzhid, CK correspondent