«Azerbaijanins in USA» call on to introduce sanctions against the Azerbaijani officials
On Dec. 16, 2015, U.S. Representative Chris Smith introduced the legislation, titled the Azerbaijan Democracy Act of 2015 in the House of Representatives. The bill would deny U.S. visas to senior Azerbaijani officials due to Azerbaijan's "appalling human rights violations."
The legislation would deny entry to and revoke current U.S visas held by individuals "in the senior leadership of the government of Azerbaijan," as well as members of their "immediate family."
In addition to denying U.S. visas to senior Azerbaijani government officials, individuals who derive "significant financial benefit" due to their ties to senior officials, as well as security, law enforcement, and judicial officials involved in "persecution or harassment" of journalists, activists, and opposition or religious groups would also face these sanctions.
On December 28, Azerbaijani president Ilham Aliyev signed a decree pardoning 210 prisoners. Despite the hopes of many in Azerbaijan and abroad, none of the country’s more than 100 political prisoners were on the list. On the same day, prominent Azerbaijani journalist Rauf Mirkadirov was sentenced to six years in prison for espionage.
Azerbaijani government has sent a clear message to the people of Azerbaijan that no political prisoners will be released and there will be no democratic reforms. With the amnesty signed on December 28 that did not include political prisoners, Azerbaijani president Ilham Aliyev has sent a message to the United States that "quiet diplomacy" won't result in release of political prisoners.
Considering the recent politically motivated arrests, no amnesty for political prisoners and continued human rights violations, the U.S. Congress must vote in favor of Azerbaijan Democracy Act of 2015.
We urge the U.S. Congress to support the "Azerbaijan Democracy Act of 2015" and pressure Azerbaijani government to immediately release political prisoners. Support the people of Azerbaijan in the struggle for free and democratic society. -03D04-
Politics
-
Today, the trial of the disabled 1st group, paralyzed activist Famil Khalilov ended in the Baku Court of Serious Crimes.
-
On February 6, pro-government media reported 6 that Azerbaijan is demanding the closure of the “Rossotrudnichestvo” representation in the country, as this organization is not registered in Azerbaijan. Requests from Turan agency to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan to confirm this information went unanswered.
-
The international organization "Women Press Freedom" condemned the arrest of journalist Shahnaz Beylergizi in Azerbaijan. A statement of the organization noted that this is the latest in a series of troubling state attacks on independent media in Azerbaijan. On the same day, another journalist, Shamshad Aga, was detained.
-
Shamshad Aga, editor of the "Argument.az" website, has been found guilty in the Meydan TV case of smuggling (Article 206.3.2 of the Criminal Code) and sentenced to two months and one day in detention. The decision was made on February 6 by the Khatai District Court of Baku, as reported by Turan, citing his lawyer, Shahla Humbatova.
Leave a review