Angela Merkel demonstrates her awareness of human rights problems in Azerbaijan

On August 25, during her visit to Baku, German Chancellor Angela Merkel met civil society activists. Participants of the meeting expressed different assessments for the Angela Merkel's visit from the point of view of the possible contribution to the protection of human rights. According to them, the German Chancellor demonstrated good knowledge of the situation with human rights in Azerbaijan. However, some of the activists have noted it is hardly worth waiting for a lot from the meeting.

According to Shakhla Ismail, the chair of the organization "Women for Rational Development", Angela Merkel has made it clear that the protection of human rights is a priority for Germany and the topic is always raised during dialogues with foreign partners.

"I believe her visit will have some positive consequences for the civil society of Azerbaijan, especially since Germany is one of the leaders of the European Union," Shakhla Ismail has concluded.

According to Turgut Gambar, a member of the board of the civil movement "Nida", "the arrival in Baku of the chancellor of such a respectful state as Germany and the meeting with civil society activists is in itself a significant fact, an important message."

However, Turgut Gambar is not inclined to exaggerate the possibilities of the Angela Merkel's influence and the leaders of other states on the situation in Azerbaijan.

"Salvation of the country is in the hands of the people themselves. One should not wait for the solution of the country's internal problems by someone from abroad," Turgut Gambar has emphasized.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on August 26, 2018 at 02:39 am MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.