Azerbaijan: Follow up to AZE38730.E on the political party "New Century" or "Noviy (Novy) Vek"; its establishment, location, leaders, elected members, platform and policies; treatment by authorities
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 30 July 2002 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | AZE39464.E |
| Reference | 2 |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Azerbaijan: Follow up to AZE38730.E on the political party "New Century" or "Noviy (Novy) Vek"; its establishment, location, leaders, elected members, platform and policies; treatment by authorities, 30 July 2002, AZE39464.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3f7d4d5523.html [accessed 17 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
According to two representatives of Azerbaijan-based non-governmental organizations, there is no party called New Century or Noviy (Novy) Vek currently, or formerly, active in Azerbaijan (HRCA 29 Apr. 2002; IPD 8 Apr. 2002). A representative of the Baku-based Institute for Peace and Democracy (IPD) stated that no such party was registered with the Azerbaijan Ministry of Justice and that its name was not recognized among individuals questioned by the IPD (ibid.). The representative noted however that there is a party called "Azerbaijan-21st century," led by Frank Elkopone, and that it "is in good relations with the ruling party of the authorities 'Yeni Azerbaijan Party' - (New Party of Azerbaijan)" (ibid.).
Likewise, a representative of the Human Rights Center of Azerbaijan (HRCA) stated that there was no "known political group" named New Century (29 Apr. 2002). The representative also alternatively suggested "Azerbaijan XXI Vek" as a "legal party acting in Azerbaijan and Russia led by Fuzuli Mammedov (nickname Frank Alcaponi) who had been arrested in Moscow in 2001 for drug trafficking" (ibid.). This source also noted that Azerbaijan XXI Vek was "a party loyal to YAP [Yeni Azerbaijan Party]" (ibid.).
The name New Century or Novy Vek is used in a number of other locations in the former Soviet Union. These include, inter alia, the newspaper Noviy Vek published by the State Property Committee of Uzbekistan (Uzland 24 July 2002), a political movement in the Russian Republic of Tatarstan (Pravda 22 Dec. 2001) and an independent newspaper in Ukraine (KHPG May 2001).
This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.
References
Human Rights Center of Azerbaijan (HRCA). 29 April 2002. Correspondence with representative
Institute for Peace and Democracy (IPD). 8 April 2002. Correspondence with representative
Kharkiv Group for Human Rights Protection (KHPG). May 2001. "Freedom of Expression in Ukraine." Pravda [Moscow]. 22 December 2001. "Tatarstan-Novy Vek' Movement Gathers for a Congress in Kazan." Uzland [Russia]. 24 July 2002. "Media in Uzbekistan."
