The National Council of Democratic Forces

4 Posts

•

0 Followers

Rafig Manafli was forced to step down from the National Council's coordination council after footage of him stating that he regretted that Adolf Hitler ‘did not exterminate the gays in 1941-1945’ leaked online.

Azerbaijan

Leaked Zoom meetings reveal homophobia and discord among Azerbaijan’s opposition

by OC Media

•5 min read

Leaked videos from online meetings of Azerbaijan’s opposition National Council of Democratic Forces appear to show homophobic attitudes and a hostility to other opposition parties within the block’s top ranks. On 13 May, two videos from an online video conference on the Zoom application held a day before were leaked online. Two other videos from a meeting on 5 May in which Ali Karimli, the leader of the opposition Popular Front Party was present, were leaked on 17 May. One video showed lea

Azerbaijan

Azerbaijani authorities thwart protest by opposition Musavat Party

by OC Media

•2 min read

The authorities in Azerbaijan have prevented the opposition Musavat Party from holding a protest in Baku, detaining several senior party members including party leader Arif Hajili. Hajili was apprehended by traffic police on 12 November as he was on his way to the party’s headquarters before the protest was due to take place. He was released later that evening after the protest in central Baku was due to take place. The Musavat Party planned to picket the Baku City Administration at 15

Ali Karimli

Opinion | Azerbaijan’s traditional opposition needs to appeal to the young

by Bahruz Samadov

•5 min read

Recent protests in Azerbaijan suggest that, after a long period of stagnation, the nature of protest is changing. However, for a radical transformation of the political landscape to take place, the country’s traditional opposition parties need to reach out and appeal to the more progressive youth movements. On 19 October, thousands of Azerbaijanis took to the streets of central Baku in the largest protest since 2013. The protest was organised by the National Council of Democratic Forces,

Ali Karimli

Hundreds demonstrate in Baku after authorities refuse to authorise protests in city centre

by OC Media

•5 min read

Hundreds gathered outside the Baku City Administration building on Tuesday to protest the local authorities’ denial of permits for protests within the city centre. Despite their picket being authorised, police attempted to disperse the crowd and dozens were arrested. The protest was organised by the National Council of Democratic Forces, a coalition of Azerbaijani opposition parties. It came after the government failed to approve a request by the National Council to hold a rally on 28 Sep