Top US official mulls democracy, human rights
A top US State Department official is in Azerbaijan
on a two-day visit to to continue dialog with the country on
democratic development and human rights protection.
David Kramer, Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights and Labor, is to meet with government officials and representatives of political circles and civil society. Discussions are focusing on issues regarding media and religious freedoms as well as the right of citizens to assemble freely, the US embassy in Baku said.
On Tuesday, Kramer met with representatives of Azerbaijani political parties. Participants included representatives of the Opposition Cooperation Center, a bloc comprising several opposition parties; those of the ruling New Azerbaijan Party (NAP); members of pro-government parties; as well as the heads of local representations of the National Democratic Institute (NDI) and the International Republican Institute (IRI). The outcomes of Azerbaijan`s October 15 presidential elections and democratic development in the country were high on the agenda of discussions.
Addressing the meeting, the assistant secretary voiced concern over the imprisonment of three journalists in Azerbaijan and pledged to raise the issue during his meetings with the country`s officials.
Kramer is paying his second visit to the South Caucasus republic over the past year in his current capacity.
David Kramer, Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights and Labor, is to meet with government officials and representatives of political circles and civil society. Discussions are focusing on issues regarding media and religious freedoms as well as the right of citizens to assemble freely, the US embassy in Baku said.
On Tuesday, Kramer met with representatives of Azerbaijani political parties. Participants included representatives of the Opposition Cooperation Center, a bloc comprising several opposition parties; those of the ruling New Azerbaijan Party (NAP); members of pro-government parties; as well as the heads of local representations of the National Democratic Institute (NDI) and the International Republican Institute (IRI). The outcomes of Azerbaijan`s October 15 presidential elections and democratic development in the country were high on the agenda of discussions.
Addressing the meeting, the assistant secretary voiced concern over the imprisonment of three journalists in Azerbaijan and pledged to raise the issue during his meetings with the country`s officials.
Kramer is paying his second visit to the South Caucasus republic over the past year in his current capacity.
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