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100 days before the Opening Ceremony of the European Games Amnesty International has published a report documenting a pattern of intensified harassment and intimidation of activists, journalists and human rights defenders by the Azerbaijani authorities in recent
years. The report titled “Guilty of Defending Rights: Azerbaijan’s human rights defenders and activists behind bars” presents the aggravated crackdowns on the government critics who are detained on false charges, beaten, threatened or denied emergent medical and legal aid.

“No one should be fooled by the glitz and glamour of the international show Azerbaijan is putting on to portray a squeaky-clean international reputation and attract foreign business. Its authorities are among the most repressive in Europe and would certainly be on the medal-winning podium if prizes were on offer for the number of activists and rights defenders behind bars,” John Dalhuisen, Amnesty’s director for Europe and Central Asia, said.

According to the report, there are no less that 22 prisoners of conscience in Azerbaijan awaiting trial following trumped-up charges ranging from fraud and embezzlement to abuse of drugs and even treason. In June, 2014 Ilham Aliyev, the president of Azerbaijan, addressed to the Parliamentary Assembly of Council of Europe (PACE), declaring that the freedom of expression and freedom of assembly are guaranteed in Azerbaijan. However, following his speech, prominent human rights defenders, including Emin Huseynov, Rasul Jafarov and Intigam Aliyev, and investigative journalist Khadija Ismayilova presented PACE with the very different reality faced by human rights defenders, journalists, and political opponents, indeed anyone who dares to criticize the Azerbaijani government. They detailed more than 90 instances of harassment, intimidation, arbitrary arrest and politically motivated charges compiled by human rights defenders, including Leyla and Arif Yunus.

“The response of the authorities was swift and clarified beyond doubt which of the two pictures of human rights in Azerbaijan is the real one. Within a matter of weeks, the authorities exacted their revenge. Those who had given their testimony to PACE started to be arrested,” the report reads, providing with information about the cases of human rights defenders, journalists, political opponents, opposition and online activists, as well as the restrictive NGO laws.

Dalhuisen noted that those latest arrests have effectively paralysed civil society and closed the lid on freedom of expression – marking the nadir of the country’s human rights record since independence. “With their eyes on Azerbaijan’s petro-dollars, the international community has been remarkably silent about the country’s repressive tactics and human rights violations. This is horribly shortsighted and a deep disservice to those currently languishing behind bars,” he stressed.

As the organization highlights, these serious human rights violations continued unabated during Azerbaijan’s Chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, despite its stated priority of “upholding and promoting the core values” of the institution, such as human rights, the rule of law and democracy.

“Amnesty International calls on the Azerbaijani government to make good the commitments it has made and take immediate steps to safeguard human rights. This must include the
immediate and unconditional release of all prisoners of conscience, including those whose
cases are highlighted in this briefing, and full and impartial investigations into all allegations of torture or other ill-treatment,” the organization urges.

See also:

NGO coalition warned EOC president about crackdowns in Azerbaijan prior to European Games