14 August 2003, 17:06
On August 12 "round table" on subject "Rights and Freedoms of Foreign Compatriots" was held in Azerbaijan
On August 12 a "round table" on the subject "Rights and Freedoms of Foreign Compatriots" was held. It was arranged by the Baku School of Human Rights and the Azadlig newspaper. Baku School of Human Rights Director Azer Alekberov gave his report "Forming of the Azerbaijan diaspora abroad". He pointed out that it is important to coordinate the foreign diaspora's activity and use its potential for Azerbaijan's progress.
A political scientist Aslan Khalidi noted in his report "Foreign Compatriots' Resources To Obtain Information About Azerbaijan" that there was a need of working out a mechanism of providing foreign compatriots with information about their historical native land.
Chairman of the Turkic World Journalist Union Shakhbaz Shamioglu reported on "Social and Law Problems of Compatriots living in their historical areas". He underlined the falsity and negative consequences of interpreting the population of Borchal, South Azerbaijan, and other originally Azerbaijan areas as a diaspora.
Meeting participants saw a film about activities of the Azerbaijan diaspora in Russia, exchanged their view on the matters being on the agenda and having touched on in the film. They adopt an appeal to the government and public of Azerbaijan, international organizations and mass media.
Source: "Newspaper 525" (Azerbaijan)
