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RACHEL DENBER RESPONDS TO BAKU?S CRITICISM ON HRW REPORT
Turan Information Agency, Azerbaijan
September 11, 2013 Wednesday
Rachel Denber, Human Rights Watch's Deputy Director of the Europe
and Central Asia Division, who specializes in countries of the
former Soviet Union, commented on Azeri government's reaction to the
organization's newly released report on the civil society crackdown
ahead of the election in the country.
Baku blames the New-York-based watchdog in "bias and prejudice"
accusing it of "aiding Azerbaijan's enemies, while acting under the
influence of Armenian lobby".
"It is surprising and disappointing that the Azerbaijani government
sees criticism in such a dire, existential framework. When Azerbaijan
improves its human rights record that's to the benefit of everyone,
including the government itself. In what way is that aiding its
enemies?" Ms. Denber said in an interview with TURAN' Washington
DC correspondent.
"Our report was on a crackdown on fundamental rights--freedom of
expression, association, and assembly--that's been under way for the
past 18 months. It's a crackdown that started well over a year ago
but intensified as the election drew nearer," she argued.
When asked how should the country improve its human rights record now,
she said, first step would be for the government to acknowledge that
many of the activists whose cases were very carefully detailed in
our report were arrested on flimsy grounds and to release them.
"That would send a very strong, positive signal."
Then the government "should show that it is serious about investigating
attacks and threats against investigative journalists who have done
hard-hitting reporting, whose cases are documented in our report,"
she added.
Alakbar Raufoglu Washington, DC
From: A. Papazian
Turan Information Agency, Azerbaijan
September 11, 2013 Wednesday
Rachel Denber, Human Rights Watch's Deputy Director of the Europe
and Central Asia Division, who specializes in countries of the
former Soviet Union, commented on Azeri government's reaction to the
organization's newly released report on the civil society crackdown
ahead of the election in the country.
Baku blames the New-York-based watchdog in "bias and prejudice"
accusing it of "aiding Azerbaijan's enemies, while acting under the
influence of Armenian lobby".
"It is surprising and disappointing that the Azerbaijani government
sees criticism in such a dire, existential framework. When Azerbaijan
improves its human rights record that's to the benefit of everyone,
including the government itself. In what way is that aiding its
enemies?" Ms. Denber said in an interview with TURAN' Washington
DC correspondent.
"Our report was on a crackdown on fundamental rights--freedom of
expression, association, and assembly--that's been under way for the
past 18 months. It's a crackdown that started well over a year ago
but intensified as the election drew nearer," she argued.
When asked how should the country improve its human rights record now,
she said, first step would be for the government to acknowledge that
many of the activists whose cases were very carefully detailed in
our report were arrested on flimsy grounds and to release them.
"That would send a very strong, positive signal."
Then the government "should show that it is serious about investigating
attacks and threats against investigative journalists who have done
hard-hitting reporting, whose cases are documented in our report,"
she added.
Alakbar Raufoglu Washington, DC
From: A. Papazian