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AZERBAIJANI AUTHORITIES EMPLOYING ALL ARSENAL AHEAD OF VOTE - AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL
October 09, 2013 | 13:49
Harassment, intimidation, ill-treatment, arbitrary arrests, fabricated
charges and unfair trials are all part of the arsenal the Azerbaijani
authorities are employing in a downward spiral of oppression in the
run up to the 9 October 2013 presidential elections, said Amnesty
International.
"With new arrests of civil society activists reported almost daily,
it's hard to keep up with the sheer number and the speed at which
dissenters are being persecuted at the moment," said John Dalhuisen,
Amnesty International's Europe and Central Asia Director.
"The persecution is so widespread and frequent it's difficult to
assess just how bad the current situation really is."
"We have already adopted no fewer than 14 people as prisoners
of conscience. These people are currently behind bars solely for
expressing their views or taking peaceful action."
In its new report published today, Downward spiral: Continuing
crackdown on freedoms in Azerbaijan, the organization documents
and analyses how the government has been intimidating and silencing
critics ever since the widespread protests in March and April 2011.
The report documents how the activities of non-governmental
organizations (NGOs), the media, critical and pro-democracy groups
and opposition parties have come under attack.
Azerbaijan is a party to all key human rights treaties which protect
the rights to freedom of expression, assembly and association, amongst
other fundamental human rights. It is also a member of the Council
of Europe, and an important trading partner for many of its members.
However, its international partners appear to have little traction.
Concerns voiced by Azerbaijan's international partners over the
"continued pressure" on activists, civil society and independent
media have been rejected by the Azerbaijani authorities.
"Azerbaijan should put an end to the harassment and suppression of
civil society and independent media. The international community must
do everything in its power to ensure that the government of Azerbaijan
fully respects and adheres to its obligations under international law,"
said John Dalhuisen.
News from Armenia - NEWS.am
From: A. Papazian
October 09, 2013 | 13:49
Harassment, intimidation, ill-treatment, arbitrary arrests, fabricated
charges and unfair trials are all part of the arsenal the Azerbaijani
authorities are employing in a downward spiral of oppression in the
run up to the 9 October 2013 presidential elections, said Amnesty
International.
"With new arrests of civil society activists reported almost daily,
it's hard to keep up with the sheer number and the speed at which
dissenters are being persecuted at the moment," said John Dalhuisen,
Amnesty International's Europe and Central Asia Director.
"The persecution is so widespread and frequent it's difficult to
assess just how bad the current situation really is."
"We have already adopted no fewer than 14 people as prisoners
of conscience. These people are currently behind bars solely for
expressing their views or taking peaceful action."
In its new report published today, Downward spiral: Continuing
crackdown on freedoms in Azerbaijan, the organization documents
and analyses how the government has been intimidating and silencing
critics ever since the widespread protests in March and April 2011.
The report documents how the activities of non-governmental
organizations (NGOs), the media, critical and pro-democracy groups
and opposition parties have come under attack.
Azerbaijan is a party to all key human rights treaties which protect
the rights to freedom of expression, assembly and association, amongst
other fundamental human rights. It is also a member of the Council
of Europe, and an important trading partner for many of its members.
However, its international partners appear to have little traction.
Concerns voiced by Azerbaijan's international partners over the
"continued pressure" on activists, civil society and independent
media have been rejected by the Azerbaijani authorities.
"Azerbaijan should put an end to the harassment and suppression of
civil society and independent media. The international community must
do everything in its power to ensure that the government of Azerbaijan
fully respects and adheres to its obligations under international law,"
said John Dalhuisen.
News from Armenia - NEWS.am
From: A. Papazian