International Organization ARTICLE 19 has published report on human rights issues in Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan should refrain from using spurious criminal charges to put its critics behind bars, according to a new report by ARTICLE 19, launched at the Council of Europe today, in the article called “When the truth becomes a lie.” The report is published on the site of the organization.
According to the report in 2014 the Azerbaijani authorities unleashed a vicious attack on civil society in the country, including those engaged in the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms. The report reads that the number of people imprisoned for expressing their critical opinions peacefully – whether on paper, on the Internet or on the streets – has been growing.
ARTICLE 19 notes that the authorities should immediately and unconditionally release those detained or imprisoned for peacefully exercising their right to freedom of expression, and not target those speaking uncomfortable truths, either at home or at international level, including at the Council of Europe.
"We are concerned that those raising the issue of political prisoners at the Council of Europe are specifically targeted, and such reprisals are incompatible with the human rights standards the Azerbaijani authorities claim to adhere to" said David Diaz-Jogeix, Director of Programmes of ARTICLE 19.
According to him the Council of Europe, needs to speak up and call for the immediate and unconditional release of political prisoners in Azerbaijan.
As the ARTICLE 19 notes, With Azerbaijan as the chair of its Committee of Ministers, the integrity and accountability of the whole institution is at stake.
According to the report working in human rights in Azerbaijan is dangerous as attacks are both physical and psychological. Individuals are subjected to arbitrary arrest, smear campaigns, pressured to ‘repent’, and they, their families, and their colleagues are threatened. Those involved in highlighting the issue of political prisoners in Azerbaijan at international level are particularly vulnerable and have, ironically, become political prisoners themselves.
“President Aliyev claims that “press freedom is fully ensured”[i], but ARTICLE 19 believes that this is untrue in today’s Azerbaijan,” reads the report.
The report recommends that the Azerbaijani authorities complied with their commitments in the field of human rights, including freedom of speech.
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