Freedom House: Azerbaijani authorities make mockery of judicial system by bringing dubious charges against political prisoners
“The government of Azerbaijan's blatant disrespect for rule of law when human rights activists are charged with serious crimes demonstrates the government's fear of independent civil society,” said David J. Kramer, president of Freedom House, in response to prohibiting a series of defense lawyers from representing Leyla Yunus. The statement is published in the site of organization.
According to David J. Kramer Azerbaijani authorities are not only making a mockery of its judicial system by bringing dubious charges against Yunus and other political prisoners, jailing the defendants for lengthy periods. It also shows that it fears its own citizens.
Freedom House calls on the government to drop criminal charges against Yunus and other political prisoners and ensure the full restoration of their rights.
It is mentioned in the statement that Azerbaijan is rated Not Free in Freedom in the World 2014 , Not Free in Freedom of the Press 2014, Partly Free in Freedom on the Net 2013, and receives a democracy score of 6.68 on a scale of 1 to 7, with 7 as the worst possible score, in Nations in Transit 2014.