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“Nəfəs” LGBT Azerbaijan Alliance that consists of sexual minorities officially terminates work in Azerbaijan, reports Gay-League of Lithuania that is engaged in issues of sexual minorities.

The statement reads that the socio-political state in the country, increasing number of arrests and chasing of individuals and organizations working for human rights by government, as well as increasing risks for personal life and personal safety of organization members made “Nəfəs” LGBT Alliance to take this serious action.

“Our view is such that Azerbaijan Republic is not interested in Human Rights NGOs to operate in the country; government wants to hide the state of the LGBT rights in Azerbaijan, and does not want legislative defaults on LGBT Rights to be discussed, and government does not want denying obligations that Azerbaijan Republic signed to be revealed,” the statement notes.

It is noted that another reason for taking this serious action was recent changes to NGO operating legislation. “Nəfəs” LGBT Azerbaijan Alliance has stated during several meetings with EC, embassies of EC Republics, US Embassy in Baku that the changes to the legislation is not optimization of the existing rules, but targets Human Rights Organizations and its executive members. There are many examples of NGO Executives getting arrested with unjustified reasons after changes of the legislation. “Nəfəs” LGBT Azerbaijan Alliance has applied twice to Ministry of Legislation for registration and could not get official response.

“‘Nəfəs’ LGBT Azerbaijan Alliance executive members are under serious risk of legislative actions if organization continues to operate without registration. Therefore, “Nəfəs” LGBT Azerbaijan Alliance is forced to terminate operating. We will continue to work with international organizations to run campaigns on state of Human Rights and LGBT Rights in Azerbaijan. One of the plans is to establish a network of Azerbaijani LGBT and Human Rights activists living abroad,” the statement reads.

In January 2014 a young activist, chairman of people with different sexual orientations Isa Shahmarly, committed suicide in Azerbaijan. He was 21 years old. Before committing suicide Isa wrote on his Facebook page, “I am leaving. This country, this world is not for me. I am leaving to find happiness." On the eve of suicide Azerbaijani alliance "Nefes" appealed to the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Azerbaijan in connection with the discrimination faced by the members of the public association.

The appeal read that in the last 10 days there have been two cases of hatred and intolerance. In the first case, 19-year-old young man could not endure discrimination from family and others and committed suicide. The second case concerns a 17-year-old young man who was brutally raped by eight persons who filmed it on video, and then extorted money from the victim. The young man could not get the required amount of money, and the video was delivered to his family. Parents beat him. Nothing more was known about his fate.