Azernews.Az

The Public Chamber, an Azerbaijani umbrella opposition group, held a rally on Sunday in the Bibiheybat settlement on the outskirts of the capital Baku. A protest authorized by the city`s authorities was held for the first time in the past few years.

According to official figures, the rally was joined by about 1,200 people. Unofficial reports said some 300 of the participants were media representatives, while the rest were officials and activists of opposition parties, and their supporters.

The leaders of Azerbaijan Popular Front Party and Musavat, Ali Karimli and Isa Gambar, and other speakers at the rally protested the government`s policies and chanted relevant slogans. They claimed citizens` property rights are being violated and democratic freedoms restricted.

A number of protesters held posters, mostly with foreign-language messages, and said they were thus seeking to draw the attention of international organizations to their protest.

In conclusion, the protesters adopted a statement. As the Azerbaijani anthem sounded, some blew whistles and chanted ``Resignation``.

The Baku police reported no instances of blatant violation of public order.

Azerbaijani authorities have said they ``positively assess`` Sunday`s rally.

``We appreciate the joint, sanctioned and coordinated rally conducted by the opposition,`` Ali Hasanov, head of the Presidential Administration`s social and political issues, told Trend news agency Monday.

``The Azerbaijani opposition has finally shown its will to hold rallies agreed with Baku`s executive authorities, in designated places in accordance with the law,`` he said.

Azerbaijani authorities believe the opposition will continue to hold rallies in accordance with the law and in coordinated and specially designated venues, Hasanov said.

``As far as the general political assessment of the rally is concerned, it is of course [about] ensuring freedom of speech and press in Azerbaijan, the right to freedom of assembly and freedom of expressing dissatisfaction.

``Unfortunately, earlier some people inside and outside of Azerbaijan speculatively disseminated statements about the limitation of the right to freedom of assembly in Azerbaijan. But this [rally] indicates that when rallies in Azerbaijan are held within the frames and are coordinated with law and Baku`s executive authority, there are no attempts made to restrain the right to freedom of assembly,`` Hasanov said.

He added that this also shows that Azerbaijan is a democratic country where people can assemble freely.

``Any journalist could freely collect and disseminate any information at yesterday`s gathering. Thus, freedom of speech and freedom of the press do exist in Azerbaijan,`` he stressed.

Hasanov noted that public resentment against some state bodies as well as different opinions were expressed at the rally.

``We perceive it normally. This is a sign that there is pluralism of opinions in Azerbaijan and Azerbaijani society. Generally, we accept it,`` he said.

``We think that we have reached a point when the opposition must hold its rallies in accordance with the law, while the government must meet the legitimate demands of the opposition in compliance with the freedom of assembly, freedom of expression and opinions,`` Hasanov said.