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AI: AZERI GOVERNMENT PROSECUTES MORE ACTIVISTS ON TRUMPED-UP CHARGES
PanARMENIAN.Net
November 17, 2011 - 12:32 AMT
PanARMENIAN.Net - Despite a systematic campaign of harassment by the
authorities, young Azerbaijani activists are determined to find a
way to exercise their rights to freedom of expression and assembly,
Amnesty International said.
In the face of a government crackdown on dissent, the internet has
become the last refuge for free expression in Azerbaijan. A small but
determined group of young activists are video blogging, posting and
tweeting their calls for democratic reforms and an end to pervasive
government corruption. In response, the government is prosecuting more
and more activists on trumped-up charges. The overwhelming majority
of these individuals are convicted after unfair trials and sentenced
to long prison terms. The Azerbaijani authorities are doing everything
in their power to discredit and intimidate them. State television has
broadcasted a series of interviews and documentaries which portrayed
Facebook users as "mentally ill". Universities, controlled by the
state, routinely warn students to steer clear of criticizing the
status quo or face expulsion, AI said.
It added: at the moment, it appears that oil rich Azerbaijan can rely
on trade partners, many of them from the European Union, turning
a blind eye to their human rights violations. Consequently, the
Azerbaijani government continues to pay little heed to the criticism
of human rights organizations and human rights institutions such as
the European Court of Human Rights. The authorities use their powerful
state machinery, paid for by oil and gas profits, to silence dissenting
voices. They are likely to continue doing so with ease and impunity
as long as foreign governments are reluctant to support these voices.
As the European Commission oversees bilateral trade relations between
European Union member states, Amnesty International is calling on
Jose Manuel Barroso, President of the European Commission:
To ensure that the European Union gives priority to significant
improvements in respecting and protecting human rights of the people
of Azerbaijan while co-operating with Azerbaijan in trade negotiations;
To raise cases where individuals' rights have been violated when it
is necessary; in accordance with the European Union guidelines on
Human Rights Defenders;
To call for the immediate and unconditional release of Jabbar Savalan,
Bakhtiyar Hajiyev, Tural Abbasli and Rufat Hajibaili in all dialogues
with the Azerbaijani authorities.
PanARMENIAN.Net
November 17, 2011 - 12:32 AMT
PanARMENIAN.Net - Despite a systematic campaign of harassment by the
authorities, young Azerbaijani activists are determined to find a
way to exercise their rights to freedom of expression and assembly,
Amnesty International said.
In the face of a government crackdown on dissent, the internet has
become the last refuge for free expression in Azerbaijan. A small but
determined group of young activists are video blogging, posting and
tweeting their calls for democratic reforms and an end to pervasive
government corruption. In response, the government is prosecuting more
and more activists on trumped-up charges. The overwhelming majority
of these individuals are convicted after unfair trials and sentenced
to long prison terms. The Azerbaijani authorities are doing everything
in their power to discredit and intimidate them. State television has
broadcasted a series of interviews and documentaries which portrayed
Facebook users as "mentally ill". Universities, controlled by the
state, routinely warn students to steer clear of criticizing the
status quo or face expulsion, AI said.
It added: at the moment, it appears that oil rich Azerbaijan can rely
on trade partners, many of them from the European Union, turning
a blind eye to their human rights violations. Consequently, the
Azerbaijani government continues to pay little heed to the criticism
of human rights organizations and human rights institutions such as
the European Court of Human Rights. The authorities use their powerful
state machinery, paid for by oil and gas profits, to silence dissenting
voices. They are likely to continue doing so with ease and impunity
as long as foreign governments are reluctant to support these voices.
As the European Commission oversees bilateral trade relations between
European Union member states, Amnesty International is calling on
Jose Manuel Barroso, President of the European Commission:
To ensure that the European Union gives priority to significant
improvements in respecting and protecting human rights of the people
of Azerbaijan while co-operating with Azerbaijan in trade negotiations;
To raise cases where individuals' rights have been violated when it
is necessary; in accordance with the European Union guidelines on
Human Rights Defenders;
To call for the immediate and unconditional release of Jabbar Savalan,
Bakhtiyar Hajiyev, Tural Abbasli and Rufat Hajibaili in all dialogues
with the Azerbaijani authorities.