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Azerbaijan: Vahdat political party; its platform; involvement in anti-government demonstrations; treatment by government (1999-2002)

The Vahdat (Unity) political party is a "small left-wing" opposition party (RFE/RL 27 July 2000) which, according to a 1998 list of political parties available on Eurasianet.org, was "[f] ormed as the political arm of the Union of Baku and Villages. [It] originally supported [the] APF [Azerbaijan Popular Front], but parted ways after 1993 [and it] [i]nitiated the Round Table of political parties in 1994" (Azerbaijan Election Watch Sept. 1998). The same report also stated that "Vahdat (Unity) Party ... absorbed the Independent Democratic Party and a branch of the People's Liberty Party" (ibid.). In its listing for the party, Europa World Year Book 2001 noted that the party is located in Baku and had a membership of 17, 500 people in 2000 (2001, 589).

The party's chairman or leader is Tahir Karimli (ibid.; RFE/RL 23 Jan. 2002; Assa-Irada 24 July 2001; Azernews 25 Apr. 2001) and its deputy chairmen have included Yunus Oghuz (Azerbaijan Election Watch Sept. 1998), Tofiq Jafarov (Azernews 6 Dec. 2000) and Zakir Abbas (ibid. 1 Aug. 2001).

The European Forum for Democracy and Solidarity, in a document dated March 1999, lists the Vahdat Party as one of the groups that formed the Movement for Democracy which was described as follows:

Created after the October elections of November 1998 by parties who believe that the election results have been tampered with by the government. The parties and NGOs (23) who signed the founding declaration, do not recognize the legitimacy of the presidential elections or of the presidency of Heydar Aliyev. ... The Movement [demanded] new presidential elections and more power for the Milli Mejlis [parliament]. ... Since the formation of the Movement for Democracy, they have been threatened by the government and, during a demonstration, they were severely beaten by the police (March 1999).

The Political Handbook of the World 1999 also mentions the Movement of Democracy as being an "umbrella organizatio[n] ... formed by some 23 opposition groups" (1999, 67). The Europa World Year Book 2001 noted that Vahdat had a "splinter faction, the Unity Party II [emerge] in April 2000 and subsequently merged with the [Popular Front of Azerbaijan] in December" (2001, 589).

By 2000 Vahdat was listed among parties forming the Union of Azerbaijani (Azerbaijanist) Forces (UAF) with the Namus and Social-Democratic parties (ibid.; Central Asia-Caucasus Analyst 7 Nov. 2001; RFE/RL 27 Nov. 2000; ibid. 27 July 2000). Political Parties of the World noted that the UAF formed "[p]rior to the November 2000 Assembly elections" and is "headed" by the Social Democratic party (2002, 33-34). In 2002, the Baku-based Turan News Agency reported that the Islamic Party of Azerbaijan was among UAF members (4 Apr. 2002; ibid. 13 Feb. 2002) while an earlier report specified it as only a bloc party member "with a consultative voice" (ibid. 1 Nov. 2000).

The Research Directorate was unable to obtain information on the official platform espoused by the Vahdat Party among sources consulted for this Response; however, a number or reports reveal issues of interest to or supported by Vahdat either individually or through the Union of Azerbaijani Forces. These include: the liberation of the Karabakh region from Armenia (Azernews 25 Apr. 2001; ibid 14 Mar. 2001); electoral reform and democratization (Zerkalo 29 Dec. 2000; Turan 1 Nov. 2000; RFE/RL 27 July 2000); economic reform (Azerbaijan Daily Digest 27 Feb. 2002; RFE/RL 26 June 2000); an end to leadership corruption (ibid. 26 June 2000); and a limit to the pro-Western policy of the Azerbaijani government (Turan 4 Apr. 2002; ANDF 7 Feb. 2002).

Exemplifying some of these interests was a statement made by Vahdat Party member Shakir Abbasov at a rally held 12 January 2002 that revealed an anti-government stance such that he saw "[t]he liberation of Karabakh, supplying people with bread and jobs [as] possible only after the collapse of the [current Azeri] regime (RFE/RL 15 Jan. 2002). An article written by Ulvi Hakimov, President of the Azerbaijan National Democracy Foundation (ANDF), highlights the UAF as an example of Azerbaijani parties who are "[p]ro-Iranian and pro-Russian forces that do not accept the strategic political course" of the state (ADNF 7 Feb. 2002). Vahdat, however had "vehemently brushe[d] off the allegations" of those "who blame the party of a pro-Iranian position" in an earlier statement (Azernews 15 Aug. 2001).

Vahdat has planned a number of demonstrations and rallies throughout the time period covered in this Response. A rally staged by the UAF took place in Baku on 24 June 2000 and concerned corruption, election law and political prisoners (RFE/RL 26 June 2000). On 20 November 2000, Vahdat was among groups involved in a series of protests concerning "social claims" including "electricity and gas problems" in Nardaran (Turkistan Newsletter 21 Nov. 2000). This protest resulted in clashes between protestors and police with injuries on both sides (ibid.). Recently a rally was held on 12 January 2002 to protest the Aliyev government (RFE/RL 15 Jan. 2002).

An 18 November 2000 demonstration in Sheki City saw the chairman of the Sheki local branch of Vahdat, Sadig Samadov, arrested with 26 others (ANDF 12 July 2001). Vahdat claimed that along with Samadov, nine other members of the party were arrested (Electoral Rights Protection Hot Line Dec. 2000) following a demonstration protesting "the fraudulence of the last parliamentary elections" where the protestors were "scattered by police violence" (Democratic Congress 5 May 2001). Safarov was sentenced to six years in prison for his part in the protests (ANDF 12 July 2001); however, the Research Directorate was unable to ascertain the exact charges he faced, or the sentencing of the other nine Vahdat members, from sources consulted for this Response.

Planned demonstrations sometimes failed to receive sanction from the Baku mayor (Turan 28 Mar. 2001), had difficulties in scheduling with the Office of Baku's Mayor (Turan 8 June 2000) or have had the mayor's office withdraw permission to demonstrate (RFE/RL 27 Nov. 2000). A Zerkalo newspaper report dated 29 December 2000 stated that a planned UAF rally "under the slogan 'Karabakh, work, bread and democratic elections'" was refused by the Baku Mayor's Office for "the ninth time."

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

References

Assa-Irada [Baku]. 24 July 2001. "Vahdat Leaders Lobby for Party Cleansing." <http://www.baku.ru/pubs/ai/20010724_009_EN.asp> [Accessed 3 May 2002]

Azerbaijan Daily Digest. 27 February 2002. "Wave of Protest." (Democratic Congress Bulletin No. 10 (55) 26 Feb. 2002). Hosted by Eurasianet.org. <http://www.eurasianet.org/resource/azerbaijan/hypermail/200202/0066.html> [Accessed 3 May 2002]

Azerbaijan National Democracy Foundation (ANDF). 8 April 2002. "Azerbaijan National Democracy Foundation." <http://www.andf-az.org/infor.html> [Accessed 7 May 2002]

_____. 7 February 2002. Azerbaijan Bulletin No. 6 (308). "Azerbaijan: The Peculiarities of Political Processes." <http://www.andf-az.org/1fevral2002i.html> [Accessed 7 May 2002]

_____. 12 July 2001. Azerbaijan Bulletin No. 28 (282). "18 Persons Were Sentenced for Sheki Incidents." <http://www.andf-az.org/2iyul2001i.html> [Accessed 7 May 2002]

The Azerbaijan Democracy Foundation is a Baku-based NGO formed in 1997 "and committed to the development [of] independent political organizations and the strengthening of civil society. The Foundation works to educate Azerbaijani society on the history and evolution of democratic values in Azerbaijan, to teach human rights and democratic principles, and to establish and develop ties among the democratic movements in the region. Additionally, the Foundation remains committed to discouraging the expansion of religious fundamentalism and fanaticism, and campaigns for democracy, and human and international rights in Azerbaijan" (ANDF 8 Apr. 2002).

Azerbaijan Election Watch. September 1998. "Parties of Azerbaijan - September 1998." Hosted by Eurasianet.org. <http://www.eurasianet.org/departments/election/ Azerbaijan/azparties.html> [Accessed 6 May 2002]

Azernews [Baku]. 15 August 2001. "Vahdat Brushes off Pro-Iranian Allegations." <http://www.bakupages.com/pubs/azernews/ 20010815_006_EN.asp> [Accessed 3 May 2002]

_____. 1 August 2001. "Vahdat Getting Rid of Recalcitrant?" <http://www.bakupages.com/pubs/azernews/ 20010801_006_EN.asp> [Accessed 7 May 2002]

_____. 25 April 2001. "'Azerbaijan Won't be Censured', Opposition Says." <http://www.bakupages.com/pubs/azernews/20010425_010_EN.asp> [Accessed 3 May 2002]

_____. 14 March 2001. "Rally Scheduled, Musavat Stays Aside." <http://www.bakupages.com/pubs/azernews/20010314_005_EN.asp> [Accessed 3 May 2002]

_____. 6 December 2000. "Vahdat Members go on Hunger Strike." <http://www.bakupages.com/pubs/azernews/20001206_009_EN.asp> [Accessed 7 May 2002]

Central Asia-Caucasus Analyst. 7 November 2001. "Azerbaijan Opposition Prepares for Presidential Elections." <http://www.cacianalyst.org/November_7_2001/ November_7_2001_Azerbaijani_Opposition.htm> [Accessed 3 May 2002]

Democratic Congress. 5 May 2001. Bulletin No. 11. "Trial of Shaki Opposition Supporters to Begin." <http://mitglied.lycos.de/politzek/news/news/050501.htm> [Accessed 3 May 2002]

The Democratic Congress is a bloc of 10 Azerbaijani opposition parties (European Forum for Democracy and Solidarity Mar. 1999; Azerbaijan Election Watch Sept. 1998; RFE/RL 27 July 2000).

Electoral Rights Protection Hotline. December 2000. Report No. 9. "Electoral Violations Reported to Azerbaijan Electoral Rights Protection Hotline." Hosted by Civil Society International. <http://www.civilsoc.org/resource/hotline9.htm> [Accessed 3 May 2002]

The Europa World Year Book 2001. 2001. 42nd ed. Vol. 1. London: Europa Publications

European Forum for Democracy and Solidarity. 21 March 2001. "The European Forum for Democracy and Solidarity." <http://www.europeanforum.net/index/index.htm> [Accessed 9 May 2002]

_____. March 1999. "Major Political Parties of Azerbaijan." <http://www.europeanforum.bot-consult.se/cup/azerbaijan/parties.htm> [Accessed 3 May 2002]

According to the group, the "European Forum for Democracy and Solidarity was founded in January 1993. It was established by the social democratic parties and political foundations from EU countries as a joint institution dedicated to support the transformation and democratisation processes in Central and Eastern Europe and to function as a platform for co-operation with social democratic oriented personalities, groups and parties in the region

...

The European Forum also tries to analyse and learn about certain countries, thereby improving knowledge and extending contacts. The information is published in special documents, the so-called 'country updates'. The country updates are drafted by the country updates editor, who is based in Amsterdam. The editor is also responsible for the maintenance of the web site. The current editor is Maaike Timmers" (21 Mar. 2001).

Political Handbook of the World: 1999. 1999. Edited by Arthur S. Banks and Thomas C. Muller. Binghamton, NY: CSA Publications.

Political Parties of the World. 2002. 5th Edition. Edited by Alan J. Day. Farmington Hills, MI: Gale Group.

Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL). Azerbaijan Report. 23 January 2002. "Should Russia Apologise to Azerbaijan for 20 January Tragedy?" <http://www.rferl.org/bd/az/report/2002/01/0-230102.html> [Accessed 3 May 2002]

_____. Azerbaijan Report. 15 January 2002. Babek Bekir. "Another Protest Staged in Baku." <http://www.rferl.org/bd/az/report/2002/01/0-150102.html> [Accessed 6 May 2002]

_____. Newsline. 27 November 2000. "Azerbaijani Authorities Ban Planned Opposition Rally." <http://www.rferl.org/newsline/2000/11/2-TCA/tca-271100.html> [Accessed 3 May 2002]

_____. Newsline. 27 July 2000. "Two Azerbaijani Opposition Parties Form Election Bloc." <http://www.rferl.org/newsline/2000/07/270700.asp> [Accessed 7 May 2002]

_____. Newsline. 26 June 2000. "Anti-Government Demonstration in Azerbaijan." <http://www.rferl.org/newsline/2000/06/2-tca/tca-260600.html> [Accessed 7 May 2002]

Turan News Agency. 4 April 2002. "Azerbaijan: Union Plans to Picket Israeli, US Embassies Over Mideast Events." (FBIS-SOV-2002-0404 4 Apr. 2002/WNC)

_____. 13 February 2002. "Azerbaijani Opposition Union Criticizes Authorities for Party Official's Death." (FBIS-SOV-2002-0213 13 Feb. 2002/WNC)

_____. 28 March 2001. "Capital's Mayor Bans Opposition Rally on 31 March." (FBIS-SOV-2001-0329 28 Mar. 2001/WNC)

_____. 1 November 2000. "Five Azeri Parties Decide to Boycott Elections." (FBIS-SOV-2000-1102 1 Nov. 2000/WNC)

_____. 8 June 2000. "Azerbaijani Opposition Alliance Postpones Rally in Baku" (FBIS-SOV-2000-0608 8 June 2000/WNC)

Turkistan Newsletter. 21 November 2000. "Mass Action in Nardaran Settlement of Baku." (Azerbaijan Bulletin). Hosted by Eurasianet.org. <http://www.eurasianet.org/resource/cenasia/hypermail/200011/0050.html> [Accessed 3 May 2002]

Zerkalo [Baku, in Russian]. 29 December 2000. "Azeri Parties Protest After Ban on 29 December Anti-Election Rally in Capital." (FBIS-SOV-2000-1229 29 Dec. 2000/WNC)

Additional Sources Consulted

IRB Databases

Two unsuccessful attempts to contact oral sources

Internet sites including:

Amnesty International

Azerbaijan International

Azerbaijan National Democracy Foundation

Baku Pages

CIA World Factbook

Country Reports (1999-2001)

Human Rights Watch

Topics: Political parties,