Azernews.Az

A new charter aiming to foster nationwide consensus and bolster democratic development has been established in Azerbaijan.
The Civil Charter for National Solidarity and Democratic Revival comprises public figures, politicians, media representatives and scholars.
Eldar Namazov, head of the Public Forum for Azerbaijan that developed the charter, told a press conference last Wednesday that tensions between the authorities and opposition in the country greatly necessitated a push for public consensus and nationwide unity.
The charter was co-signed by a group of prominent political analysts and politicians, journalists, NGO leaders, rights defenders, intellectuals and representatives of youth organizations to achieve liberation of Azeri land from Armenian occupation, strive for the country's development and promote democracy.
Elaborating on the proposals laid out in the document, Namazov said it offers to set up the so-called coalition "National Trust Government" by the next parliamentary elections in Azerbaijan, pass a law "On the status of ex-presidents", free all "political prisoners" under a political amnesty, and create suitable conditions for the return of political figures living abroad home. The charter also called for announcing an economic amnesty, uprooting shadow economy and ensuring inviolability of people's property. The proposals also include establishing the Solidarity and Development Majlis (council) consisting of members of both pro-government and opposition parties as well as civil society representatives.
The signatories also offered to make state governance more democratic. The organization called for amending the Constitution through a nationwide referendum in 2009 to limit presidential authority and shifting to a combined parliamentary and presidential form of government.