Baku/20.02.19/Turan: The Elections Monitoring and Democracy Study Center (EMDSC) has distributed an assessment document on freedom of movement in Azerbaijan and politically motivated travel bans. The study was prepared based on observations in respect of 30 persons who are prohibited from going abroad. Among them, 18 journalists, 5 political activists, 4 lawyers and a human rights activist, 2 writers, one head of a civil society institution. The list includes journalists: Shahvalad Chobanoglu, Khadija Ismayilova, Natig Javadli, lawyers Intigam Aliyev, Annagi Hajibeyli, Asabali Mustafayev, politicians: Ilgar Mamedov, Azer Gasimly, writer: Rasim Garaj, Akram Aylisli, etc. The aim of the project was to inform the public, state bodies, international organizations about legal problems caused by targeted discriminatory use of travel bans. In conclusion, the study made recommendations.
In particular, it is proposed to define legislation on prior notification of persons who are imposed restrictions on leaving the country, as well as to establish a period for the prohibitions. It is also recommended not to use travel bans, as an instrument of political pressure, to apply restrictions in a democratic society. It is proposed to abolish the existing restrictions on activists and journalists. In addition, it is recommended to justify the refusals to issue passports, to execute the decisions of the ECHR regarding freedom of movement. It is proposed to eliminate the restrictions on the departure abroad of persons convicted conditionally. Courts applying restrictions should make reasonable arguments. It was recommended to eliminate the practice of refusal by the courts to consider complaints of travel restrictions.
* The Election Monitoring Center was established in 2001. Subsequently, in 2008, it was transformed into EMDSC. In February 2008, the authorities deprived this organization of state registration. However, until 2013, the organization monitored all elections in Azerbaijan. After the presidential election in 2013, the leadership of this NGO was arrested - Anar Mammadli and Bashir Suleymanli were accused of economic crimes and convicted. Subsequently they were released after international criticism. -06D-
Politics
-
Head of the External Relations and Security Service of the EU Josep Borrel rejected the accusations against him and European countries made by the head of Azerbaijan at the COP29 conference the previous day.
-
On Thursday, President Ilham Aliyev received the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Alain Berset, who arrived to participate in the COP29 climate conference.
-
The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) today issued five rulings on applications from Azerbaijan. The case of "Afgan Mammadov v. Azerbaijan" concerned the complainant's exclusion from the Bar Association. Mammadov was expelled based on a complaint filed by a colleague, which he considered unjust. The ECHR ruled that Mammadov's rights had been violated and ordered Azerbaijan to pay him €5,000 in compensation for moral damage and €1,000 to cover legal costs.
-
During the ongoing COP29 climate conference in Baku on November 14, a group of activists staged a protest condemning Russia's aggression against Ukraine. The activists also denounced countries that supply oil and weapons to nations waging aggressive wars. The protest featured placards with slogans such as: "From fossil fuels to peace!", "End war crimes!", "Punish the aggressor!", and "Phase out fossil fuel use to achieve peace!" among others.
Leave a review