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The organization Platform of London, based in Great Britain, criticized the MPs of the country for turning a blind eye to the crackdowns on the civil society in Azerbaijan and maintaining relations with the ruling regime for their private interests. The organization called on the MPs to break up their contacts with the Azerbaijani authorities, Azerbaijani newspaper Azadlig reports citing the publication posted on the official website of the organization titled “Demand UK MPs speak out against Azerbaijan Repression.”

As the newspaper has it, less than 100 days remain before the opening of the European Games in Baku, yet a number of well-known individuals are still behind bars in Azerbaijan.

According to the article, BP Company and the ruling regime in Azerbaijan try to use the European Games to goldwash their own reputation. They give such an obvious significance to that event that they are even ready to cover the costs of all the countries attending it despite the serious economic problems.

It is highlighted in the publication that the authorities in Azerbaijan have arrested many political activists, journalists, human rights defenders in order to silence critical voices ahead of the European Games. Besides, charges under articles proposing more than 10 years imprisonment terms have been brought against them. 

“We demand that UK MPs break their silence and take up necessary measures. We are asking UK MPs to sign EDM 718, that has already been signed by 25 MPs, to put an end to the crackdowns and violations of human rights in Azerbaijan. We also urge to raise the question of releasing all the arrested political prisoners and complying with international standards in the field of human rights,” the statement reads. 

According to the newspaper, the publication also reminds that many journalists, political activists and human rights defenders have been arrested in Azerbaijan on trumped-up charges for criticizing the authorities, and the journalist of RFE/RL Khadija Ismayilova is behind bars for unmasking corrupt actions of the ruling clan and high officials.

The European Games, planned to be held in late June of 2015, will cost a few billion dollars. In the preparatory works for the Games, the destruction of many residential buildings has set on in 2014.

A number of public and political figures have recently condemned the statement of the National Olympic Committee (NOC) of Azerbaijan about the host country covering the costs of all the 50 national delegations attending the Games. Some of them called on the government of Azerbaijan to refuse hosting the European Games because of the sharp collapse of manat and serious economic problems.