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U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT REPRESENTATIVE CRITICIZED AZERBAIJANI AUTHORITIES FOR CLOSURE OF "FREE THOUGHT UNIVERSITY"
19:40 17/04/2013 " REGION
"We urge the government of Azerbaijan to meet its international
obligations and to ensure the fundamental rights of citizens to
freedom of assembly and expression without fear of arrest," the U.S.
State Department spokesman Patrick Ventrella stated during a briefing,
referring to the issue of closing of "Free Thought University" in
Azerbaijan. The statement is available on the website of U.S. State
Department.
Patrick Ventrella stated that this concern was clearly expressed by
the U.S. Ambassador to Azerbaijan Richard Morningstar and quoted
him as saying that "respect for peaceful protests, independent
and transparent courts, and government engagement with citizens,
especially its young citizens, to address their legitimate concerns
are the best and most effective ways democratic governments can secure
their fundamental stability."
In the evening on April 10 "Free Thought University" of Azerbaijan
circulated a message in Facebook stating that its doors are sealed by
the representatives of the Prosecutor General of Azerbaijan. On April
11, the U.S. Ambassador to Azerbaijan Richard Morningstar met with a
group of representatives of the university: "I have been troubled by
the government's reaction to protests this year, including the arrest
and interrogation of youth active in protests and in civil society
movements. I was particularly disappointed to hear that authorities
closed Free Thought University's office just last night."
Source: Panorama.am
19:40 17/04/2013 " REGION
"We urge the government of Azerbaijan to meet its international
obligations and to ensure the fundamental rights of citizens to
freedom of assembly and expression without fear of arrest," the U.S.
State Department spokesman Patrick Ventrella stated during a briefing,
referring to the issue of closing of "Free Thought University" in
Azerbaijan. The statement is available on the website of U.S. State
Department.
Patrick Ventrella stated that this concern was clearly expressed by
the U.S. Ambassador to Azerbaijan Richard Morningstar and quoted
him as saying that "respect for peaceful protests, independent
and transparent courts, and government engagement with citizens,
especially its young citizens, to address their legitimate concerns
are the best and most effective ways democratic governments can secure
their fundamental stability."
In the evening on April 10 "Free Thought University" of Azerbaijan
circulated a message in Facebook stating that its doors are sealed by
the representatives of the Prosecutor General of Azerbaijan. On April
11, the U.S. Ambassador to Azerbaijan Richard Morningstar met with a
group of representatives of the university: "I have been troubled by
the government's reaction to protests this year, including the arrest
and interrogation of youth active in protests and in civil society
movements. I was particularly disappointed to hear that authorities
closed Free Thought University's office just last night."
Source: Panorama.am