Students' hunger strike continues in Azerbaijan

The hunger strike of the "Independent Azerbaijan" university (IAU) students in which about 60 persons take part has been lasting for 5 days. The hunger strikers at the "Independent Azerbaijan" university (IAU) have called upon human rights activists and state officials today to pay attention to their fate.

Despite the fact that the hunger strike of scores of students has been under way for several days, state official have failed to respond to it. Only one representative of the Ministry of Education stated unofficially that third and fourth year students would be granted an opportunity to continue their education in other private universities.

Yesterday, June 4, Tarlan Aliev, a 3rd year student, was hospitalized due to an acute attack of gastritis. The high temperature of Anar Guliev, another participant in the hunger strike, would not go down for three days already. Other participants also feel bad, may of them suffer from low blood pressure. The students go on sleeping on schools desks because the university administration has prohibited bringing mattresses and other bedding facilities into the class-rooms.

As of today, the number of participants in the action is 61. The students claim that their right to education has been violated.

For reference, the participants in the action demand that the money paid for training should be reimbursed or they should be transferred to another university because the Ministry of Education of Azerbaijan considers their admission illegitimate.