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VOICE OF AMERICA: U.S. AMBASSADOR TO UN IS CONCERNED ABOUT HUMAN RIGHTS SITUATION IN AZERBAIJAN
17:32 08/05/2013 " REGION
Eileen Chamberlain Donahoe, U.S. Ambassador to the Human Rights
Council commented on Universal Periodic Review of UPR and expressed
her concern about the human rights situation in Azerbaijan, the Voice
of America reports.
The author reminds that Azerbaijan was one of fourteen countries
examined during the session held in Geneva, on April 30.
"We are concerned by the continued incarceration of some journalists
and democracy activists. These raise concerns about the authorities'
use of the judicial system to limit the rights of individuals to
express themselves freely," the ambassador said.
She also voiced concern over "undue restrictions on freedom of peaceful
assembly" in Azerbaijan and over "recently enacted legal government
restrictions on funding for civil society and continuing difficulties
for NGO's seeking to register," as well as reports of harassment of
human rights lawyers.
According to the article in its latest annual human rights report on
Azerbaijan, the U.S. Department of State noted similar problems,
including "restrictions on freedom of expression, including
intimidation, arrest and use of force against journalists and human
rights and democracy activists."
Among other violations of freedom of expression, including imprisonment
of journalists, the State Department report cited the case of
investigative journalist Khadija Ismayilova who works at Radio
Free Europe/Radio Liberty. Thus Ms. Ismayilova, who has exposed
official corruption in Azerbaijan, was the victim of attempted
blackmail. Although the Azerbaijani Presidential Administration
criticized the invasion of her privacy, an official investigation
has not led to any arrests.
Ambassador Donahoe called on the Azerbaijani authorities to release
individuals incarcerated for publicly expressing their opinions and
ensure due process for other detainees, permit peaceful protest to
be held in Baku city center, and work with domestic and international
organizations, to amend legislation in order to promote a flourishing
civil society.
U.S. State Department strongly criticized Azerbaijan in the report for
violation of human rights, including freedom of speech and the press.
According to international human rights organization "Committee to
Protect Journalists" (CPJ), there are at least 6 imprisoned journalists
in Azerbaijan, thus this republic is now among the top ten countries
in the world by the number of press workers' arrests.
Source: Panorama.am
17:32 08/05/2013 " REGION
Eileen Chamberlain Donahoe, U.S. Ambassador to the Human Rights
Council commented on Universal Periodic Review of UPR and expressed
her concern about the human rights situation in Azerbaijan, the Voice
of America reports.
The author reminds that Azerbaijan was one of fourteen countries
examined during the session held in Geneva, on April 30.
"We are concerned by the continued incarceration of some journalists
and democracy activists. These raise concerns about the authorities'
use of the judicial system to limit the rights of individuals to
express themselves freely," the ambassador said.
She also voiced concern over "undue restrictions on freedom of peaceful
assembly" in Azerbaijan and over "recently enacted legal government
restrictions on funding for civil society and continuing difficulties
for NGO's seeking to register," as well as reports of harassment of
human rights lawyers.
According to the article in its latest annual human rights report on
Azerbaijan, the U.S. Department of State noted similar problems,
including "restrictions on freedom of expression, including
intimidation, arrest and use of force against journalists and human
rights and democracy activists."
Among other violations of freedom of expression, including imprisonment
of journalists, the State Department report cited the case of
investigative journalist Khadija Ismayilova who works at Radio
Free Europe/Radio Liberty. Thus Ms. Ismayilova, who has exposed
official corruption in Azerbaijan, was the victim of attempted
blackmail. Although the Azerbaijani Presidential Administration
criticized the invasion of her privacy, an official investigation
has not led to any arrests.
Ambassador Donahoe called on the Azerbaijani authorities to release
individuals incarcerated for publicly expressing their opinions and
ensure due process for other detainees, permit peaceful protest to
be held in Baku city center, and work with domestic and international
organizations, to amend legislation in order to promote a flourishing
civil society.
U.S. State Department strongly criticized Azerbaijan in the report for
violation of human rights, including freedom of speech and the press.
According to international human rights organization "Committee to
Protect Journalists" (CPJ), there are at least 6 imprisoned journalists
in Azerbaijan, thus this republic is now among the top ten countries
in the world by the number of press workers' arrests.
Source: Panorama.am