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More than hundred NGOs in Azerbaijan have signed a petition to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) in connection with the adoption of amendments by the parliament of the republic restricting the activities of NGOs, the Azerbaijanii news agency "Turan" reported.

According to the agency, the document's authors draw attention to the introduction of reactionary amendments to the law on NGOs, while the authorities continue politically motivated arrests and detention. Currently in prison there are nine journalists, two human rights activists and 12 advocates of freedom of expression.

Authors reminded PACE resolutions condemning arrests of politicians, other activists and journalists for political reasons in Azerbaijan.

The appeal particularly focuses on criminal cases against the leader of the REAL movement Ilgar Mamedov and the head of the Center for Monitoring Elections and Democracy Training Anar Mammadli.

The letter emphasizes that while suppressing the freedom of assembly and expression the association’s freedom also becomes limited.

Agency reminds that in March 2013 the authorities adopted severe amendments to the legislation regulating NGOs, limiting their sources of funding and establishing heavy fines even for technical violations of the law.

A series of new amendments introduced in December 2013 set new limits for NGOs such as toughening fines for violations in NGO activities, which create obstacles for unregistered NGOs and extend suspension of registration for NGOs, etc.

Moreover, in 2012 amendments were made to the legislation, defining details of the owners of companies as commercial secrets, which also limited the ability of NGOs to carry out the functions of social control.

The authors urge PACE to require the authorities of Azerbaijan to improve the human rights situation, cancel reactionary amendments approved in recent years, and stop limiting the fundamental freedoms.

The appeal was submitted to the PACE administration by Azerbaijani human rights activists on January 27. The text was also distributed among the deputies of the Assembly.