10 March 2012, 20:00
"Public Chamber" of Azerbaijan appoints nationwide rally for April 8
At its today's sitting in Baku, the "Public Chamber" has decided to hold a nationwide rally on April 8 in the capital of Azerbaijan with a demand to release political prisoners. The action is dated to the first anniversary of the rally on April 2, 2011.
In particular, after the last year's protest actions, Shakhin Gasanli, an activist of the Popular Front Party of Azerbaijan, a blogger Bakhtiyar Gadjiev, and a human rights defender Vidadi Iskenderov, who were recognized to be "prisoners of conscience", are still in prison.
The statement of the "Public Chamber" also notes the continuation of restrictions imposed by the authorities on the freedom of assembly. The "Public Chamber" has demanded to end repressions and release all political prisoners, the Contact Online News reports.
The Azerbaijani authorities deny that the country has political prisoners and prisoners of conscience.
At the same time, international organizations have repeatedly criticized the Azerbaijani authorities for violating the norms of democracy and human rights.
