Thomas Melia held master classes

December 11-12, 2012, U.S. Assistant Secretary for Democracy, Human Rights and Labor Thomas Melia held two meetings in Baku with representatives of civil society in Azerbaijan. The theme of the meetings was the issues of democracy and human rights, freedom of speech and the rule of law, reports the “Turan”.

During these meetings, they exchanged views on trends in the political situation in Azerbaijan, the problems and challenges facing the country. Questions have been raised upcoming presidential elections in the next year, the role and place of civil society and its participation in the political process. It discussed the issues of foreign and domestic policy of official Baku. Separately, a question was raised about the problems of “Azadlig” newspaper, which is threatened closure.

In addition, at the U.S. Embassy Thomas Melia, and a representative of the U.S. State Department, Wendy Silverman met  with the heads of the Azerbaijani parties. According to APA at the press service of the Party of Citizenship and Development, the meeting was attended by the Chairman PCS Ali Aliyev, chairman of “Umid” Igbal Agazade, chairman of the “Open Society” Sulhaddin Akbar, Bashkan “Musavat” Party Isa Gambar, leader of the Liberal Party of Azerbaijan Avaz Temirkhan, chairman of Popular Front Party Ali Kerimli and a representative of the Public Chamber Mehriban Vazir.

Further, with the U.S. delegation led by Assistant Secretary of State pas of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor Thomas Melia, met the First Vice-Speaker of the Milli Majlis, the chairman of the parliamentary committee on defense and security Ziyafat Askerov. The chairmen of parliamentary committees Ali Huseynli Hadi Rajabli, Rabiyat Aslanova and other officials took participation at the meeting.

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