On 2 August it came to Civil Rights Defenders attention that the Azeri journalist, human rights defender and Natalia Project bearer Rasul Jafarov had been arrested in Baku. He will be held in a pre-trial detention for up to three months. The charges against him are tax evasion, illegal commercial activity and abuse of authority.
"We are shocked and dismayed at what seems to be an attack on Rasul Jafarov for his activities as a human rights defender. Civil Rights Defenders call on the authorities in Azerbaijan to provide a safe environment for all human rights defenders that enables them to perform their important work", says Robert Hårdh, Executive Director at Civil Rights Defenders.
At this early stage it appears that the charges are related to Rasul Jafarov’s activities as chairman and founder of the Human Rights Club (HRC), an NGO which the Azerbaijan government has continually prevented from registering since its establishment in 2010 — a tactic that seems intended to hinder their work and silence their opposition to human rights abuses.
The arrest of Rasul Jafarov comes on the heels of the arrest earlier this week of fellow Azeri human rights defender Leyla Yunus. In May, Anar Mammadli, founder of the Election Monitoring and Democracy Studies Center (EMDS), was sentenced to five years in prison on the same charges Rasul Jafarov is now being held on.
About Rasul Jafarov:
As the chairman of the HRC, Rasul Jafarov coordinated the “Sing for democracy” campaign which used Eurovision Song Contest to improve human rights awareness in Azerbaijan. During this massive pan-European contest, “Sing for Democracy” elicited significant international attention to human rights violations in Azerbaijan. In December 2012, “Sing for Democracy” was expanded and rebranded; “Art for Democracy,” which Rasul Jafarov continues to coordinate.
Additionally, Rasul Jafarov was responsible in the, “Expression Online Initiative,” which used the Internet Governance Forum in Baku, November 2012, a platform to monitor, protect and influence the exercise of freedoms in cyberspace. This campaign continues to expand internet freedoms by protecting online activists, streamlining and initiating new internet-freedom legislation, as well as practical solutions to protect internet rights.-0-
Politics
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On Wednesday, President Ilham Aliyev met with Kerry McCarthy, the UK Minister for International Energy and Climate. During the meeting, they discussed preparations for the upcoming climate conference COP29. According to the embassy's statement, the minister offered the UK's support for hosting COP29. The parties also discussed the importance of the transition to clean energy.
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On October 9, President Ilham Aliyev met with Amina Mohammed, the UN Deputy Secretary-General, to discuss preparations for COP29. During the meeting, Mohammed stated that the main theme of the upcoming conference would be financial issues. She expressed hope that the international community would establish new financial goals. In turn, Aliyev highlighted the cooperation with the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and other organizations in the preparation process for the conference. He emphasized that Baku is making efforts to achieve consensus at COP29.
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Despite his serious condition, Afghan Sadygov, the head of the “Azel TV” website arrested in Georgia, continues his hunger strike in the prison hospital and refuses medical assistance, his wife reported to Turan. According to her, Afghan called her on Wednesday from the medical center of the Georgian penitentiary service. "He is in serious condition, under medical supervision, but refuses all medical help. Afghan said he is only taking drinking water. He stated that he will continue to fight for his rights and freedom, even if he dies," his wife said.
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On October 9, President Ilham Aliyev received John Podesta, the US Presidential Advisor on International Climate Policy. Podesta reported that he had productive negotiations with Azerbaijani colleagues regarding COP29 and was pleased to exchange views on the matter with the President of Azerbaijan.
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