This weekend LYMEC demonstrated its firm support and friendship to the opposition Azeri organizations, Azerbaijan Liberal Youth Association (ALYA ALGA) and Musavat Youth, both striving for their existence in a country ruled under the tyrannical Ilham Aliyevs’ regime. Dalia Venslovaite , LYMEC Bureau member, and Bart Woord, IFLRY Secretary General, put a scotch on their mouths during the president Aliyev’s speech to protest against the government’s oppressive acts towards the free and independant Azeri media and other violations of democratical principles.

In connection to the European Youth Forum Council of Members (EYF COMEM) meeting in Baku this weekend Dalia Venslovaite, LYMEC Bureau member, and Bart Woord, IFLRY Secretary General, joined by some other European political youth organizations, campaigned against the violations of human rights in the country, particularly due to the recent arrests of the opposition press journalists and long-lasting restrictions regarding the right of assembly.The campaigners put a scotch on their mouths during the president Aliyev’s speech to protest against the country’s oppressive acts towards the free Azeri media. The campaign along with the interviews of Dalia Venslovaite and Bart Woord was well reflected in the main opposition newspapers Azadliq and Gundelik Azerbaycan.

This year the EYF COMEM took place in Baku and was hosted by the pro-government National Youth Council of Azerbaijan (NAYORA). Following the speech of one of the guest speakers, the Minister for Youth and Education of Azerbaijan, liberals from LYMEC and IFLRY spoke up and expressed their concerns regarding the freedom to exercise democratic rights in the country, including the poor conditions of freedom of speech and assembly. In response to the Dalia Venslovaite’s question regarding the state’s restrictions directed to the youth organization activities, the representative of the undemocratically formed Ministry was frankly and firmly stating that the registration of political youth organizations is against the law in Azerbaijan. LYMEC condemns such Azeri government’s repression against the politically active youth as a sign of a constrained and undemocratic society. LYMEC expresses its great support to the liberal organizations working in the opposition.

Following their protest action LYMEC and IFLRY representatives met ALYA ALGA and Musavat Youth in a seminar on 30 April, also attended and supported by the Foundation for Liberties. The seminar created a discussions-boosting atmosphere with an inspiring exchange of views on better cooperation in the Caucasus region. Both ALYA and Musavat Youth are interested in applying for their membership in the European liberal youth.

This entry was posted on Martes, Mayo 8th, 2007 at 13:30 and is filed under General. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.