Baku Activists Protest Amendments To NGO Bill

Plainclothes police have broken up a picket in front of the Azerbaijani parliament by representatives of nongovernmental organizations as lawmakers debated a law that could curb civil-society freedoms, RFE/RL's Azerbaijani Service reports.

Police officers failed to identify themselves, instead removing and tearing down protesters' signs and placards that read "No to Undemocratic Law" and "Recognize our Right to Unite." (See video above)

Three NGO representatives were allowed to present a resolution to the parliament in which they protest against proposed amendments to a law that would restrict civil-society activities.

Debate on the bill was continuing.