WASHINGTON DC. – U.S. is concerned about the situation of fundamental freedoms in Azerbaijan, U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary Thomas Melia told on Tuesday opening the hearings of the Congress “Eastern Europe: Status of freedom and democracy” sub-committee meeting on Europe and Eurasia, contact.az reports.

“Opportunities of citizens in Azerbaijan are extremely limited concerning changing the government through peaceful elections,” he stated.

Azerbaijani authorities should allow U.S. National democratic Institute to continue the work, as well as allow broadcasting of Radio Liberty and Voice of America stations, added Melia.

Head of Freedom House David Kramer believes that Azerbaijan occupies the last position among Southern Caucasus States. Nadia Diuk from National Endowment for Democracy (NED) also stressed to focus on the situation in Azerbaijan.

“Azerbaijan continues to arrest supporters of democracy. General tendency speaks on continuous limitations of pluralism and the deterioration of the status of public community. Compared to Azerbaijan, situation in Armenia seems better. As opposition has an opportunity to hold massive rallies. Moreover, political prisoners were released in Armenia,” she added.