Opposition parties rally in Baku for fair elections

July 24, 2005

Around four hundred people demonstrated in Baku, Azerbaijan, yesterday, demanding that parliamentary elections to be held on November 6 be free and fair. The National Democratic Party led the rally, and other opposition parties and groups including Citizen Solidarity, Liberal Democratic Party, Free Azerbaijan, Salvation and Progress participated. The rally was sanctioned by the Baku government.

Demonstrators requested from Ilham Aliyev, President of Azerbaijan, the protection of gatherings, citizens' will and an equal chance for all candidates in the elections. They also demanded removing obstacles in development of Azerbaijani's independent media, and the return of political emigrants.