12 September 2008, 21:01
Azerbaijani opposition indignant with places for rallies allotted by the authorities
The today's official press of Azerbaijan has published the list of places allotted for holding mass actions in 56 cities and district centres of Baku. These places have been defined by local executive bodies according to the Law "On Freedom of Assembly".
In the overwhelming majority of districts, stadiums were allotted to hold rallies, which, as a rule, are situated in the outskirts of cities and district capitals. In some settlements, pre-railway station squares were appointed for such purposes.
The "Caucasian Knot" correspondent was told by Arif Gadzily, head of the central office of the "Musavat" Party that "in fact the city and district authorities have only restricted citizens' freedom of assembly in breach of the Constitution and the Law 'On Freedom of Assembly'."
According to Mr Gadzily, the Constitution guarantees the freedom of assembly, and the Law envisions that "the time, place and slogans of mass actions shall be defined by organizers thereof". According to the Law, the mayoralty has the right to restrict the freedom of assembly only in specially stipulated places - near strategically important state objects.
Author: Faik Medzhid, CK correspondent
