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Harassment, intimidation, ill-treatment, arbitrary arrests, fabricated charges and unfair trials are all part of the arsenal the Azerbaijani authorities are employing in a downward spiral of oppression in the run up to the presidential elections, said Amnesty International. You can see the document on the site of the organization.

“With new arrests of civil society activists reported almost daily, it’s hard to keep up with the sheer number and the speed at which dissenters are being persecuted at the moment,” said John Dalhuisen, Amnesty International’s Europe and Central Asia Director.

According to him the persecution is so widespread and frequent it’s difficult to assess just how bad the current situation really is. “We have already adopted no fewer than 14 people as prisoners of conscience. These people are currently behind bars solely for expressing their views or taking peaceful action,” the representative of human rights organization reported.

В отчете AI говорится, что правительство Азербайджана предпринимает меры по подавлению критики и акций протеста еще с весны 2011 года. Согласно документу, под постоянным давлением со стороны властей находятся независимые медиа, журналисты, неправительственные организации, активисты гражданского общества, оппозиционные политики.

The AI report reads that the government has been intimidating and silencing critics ever since the widespread protests in March and April 2011. The report documents how the activities of non-governmental organizations (NGOs), the media, critical and pro-democracy groups and opposition parties have come under attack.

“This wholesale crackdown calls into question the value of holding an election. People must be free to form their opinion and share it with others; be free to protest when they see their rights violated, and be free to do so jointly with others. None of this is allowed in Azerbaijan, and those who dare, pay a heavy price with their personal safety and freedom. This must stop,” said John Dalhuisen. “The government of Azerbaijan must immediately and unconditionally release all prisoners of conscience.”

It is noted that Azerbaijan is a party to all key human rights treaties which protect the rights to freedom of expression, assembly and association, amongst other fundamental human rights. It is also a member of the Council of Europe, and an important trading partner for many of its members. However, its international partners appear to have little traction. Concerns voiced by Azerbaijan’s international partners over the “continued pressure” on activists, civil society and independent media have been rejected by the Azerbaijani authorities.

“The international community must do everything in its power to ensure that the government of Azerbaijan fully respects and adheres to its obligations under international law,” said John Dalhuisen, Amnesty International’s Europe and Central Asia Director.

Today Azerbaijan helds presidential elections. The previous presidential elections were held on 15 October 2008. The incumbent president Ilham Aliyev is on this position for two terms already - since 2003. In March 2009 a referendum on making amendments to the Constitution was held in Azerbaijan, which repealed the restriction on one person remaining in office for more than two consecutive terms. The Venice Commission of the Council of Europe stated in this regard, "Giving one person the right to be repeatedly elected to the presidency is seen as a step backwards in the development of democracy."