Azerbaijan, Baku, June 1 / Trend I. Isabalayeva /
The European human rights activists must express their attitude to the use of force against peaceful demonstrators in Turkey and Germany, member of the Azerbaijani Parliament's Committee on Legal Policy and State Building, chairman of the Committee on Democracy and Human Rights Chingiz Ganizade told Trend today.
"We have always believed that all the processes normally occur in Europe and people adhere to the democratic values there," he said. "However, from time to time, it appears that certain confrontation occur in all countries.
"But, unfortunately, when any incidents occur between the authorities and the rally members in our country in a manner corresponding to the civilized values, this event is exaggerated at once," he added. "All this is addressed to Azerbaijan in the form of statements. We have recently witnessed the use of force towards the individuals protesting against the government's certain policy in two countries - Germany and Turkey."
"The number of those protesting against the construction of a shopping center on the site of a historical building is constantly increasing in Turkey, while the government is using force against these people," he said.
"This is not compatible with democracy," he said. "The policemen are using violence against protesters in connection with the social problems in Frankfurt (Germany). Germany, France and other European countries have always been considered the cradle of democracy."
"It turns out that we were wrong," he said. "Of course, as a human rights activist, I condemn violence. At the same time, I urge MPs and members of the CE and EU committees, demonstrating a biased position towards Azerbaijan, to assess the events occurring in Europe. We are waiting for the statement in connection with these events. When something insignificant occurs in Azerbaijan, they rapidly voice their attitude in the form of statements.
At present, I am waiting for Europe, European human rights activists, the Council of Europe and other organizations to assess the events in these two countries. I believe that these events must be assessed. Otherwise, one can conclude that their attitude towards other countries pursues the political purposes, rather than relies on the protection of democratic values."
The protests against the tree felling in the Gezi park in the center of Istanbul have been held for several days. The central Taksim Square is being reconstructed there. The police are using tear gas to disperse the demonstrators. It became known on May 31 evening that the court suspended the reconstruction of ancient military barracks on the square. Therefore, the trees must be cut down in the Gezi park.
On May 31, the activists of the Blockupy anti-capitalist movement tried to disrupt the work of the European Central Bank, located in the business district of Frankfurt am Main. Blockupy is acting, in particular, against the policy of economy in Europe, the banking speculations with food and housing rental rate increase. Policemen detained buses with protesters, as well as journalists. All central streets of the city were cordoned off by police. The reinforced police groups with dogs and water cannons were introduced.