Ch. Strasser: systemic suppression of civil society in Azerbaijan
«Since July this year another and more systematic narrowing the scope of the activities of civil society in Azerbaijan is observed," stated former PACE rapporteur on political prisoners in Azerbaijan ,Christopher Strasser. Currently, he is the Ombudsman of the German government. In an interview with German television station N-TV, he recalled the arrests of human rights activists and NGO leaders - Leyla and Arif Yunus, Intigam Aliyev, Rasul Jafarov.
"We know them as serious and loving the business partners, and the charges against them are questionable," said Strasser.
He also reiterated that currently Azerbaijan heads the CE Committee of Ministers. "Unfortunately, the Azerbaijani authorities do not use the chairmanship to strengthen the rule of law, freedom of expression, assembly," said Strasser.
After the accession of Azerbaijan to the Council of Europe, PACE deputies prepared three lists of political prisoners. The first of these, presented British MP, George Klerfayd, the second – also British MP Malcolm Bruce, and the third list of 60 people unveiled Christopher Strasser. This list was discussed at the PACE session, but it was not adopted, what caused a enthusiastic reaction of Baku. -16D04-
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