Dunya Miyatovic met with lawyers and human rights activists

Baku / 09.07.19 / Turan: Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights Dunja Miyatović met with a group of human rights defenders and lawyers suspended from the legal profession on July 9 during a visit to Azerbaijan.

During the meeting, the state of affairs in the field of human rights, advocacy, and media freedom issues were discussed.

"Very serious questions were raised. We talked about the reasons for the removal of lawyers from the Bar and about blocking their bank accounts. It was also said about unreasonable penalties and reprimands to lawyers, and suspension of their activities.

In addition, it was pointed out that the practice of initiating administrative proceedings against lawyers on the basis of appeals of the law enforcement agencies has become more frequent," lawyer Irada Javadova told Turan.

Miyatovic promised to raise these issues in meetings with officials. In addition, in several months, she will prepare a report reflecting the above problems.

"You cannot tie the hands of lawyers who protect human rights. Lawyers should be able to speak in front of the media in cases of lack of reaction of state bodies to the facts of torture. Now, in fact, lawyers are forbidden to work with journalists," Javadova said.

In recent years, the advocacy of a number of lawyers who specialize in protecting the rights and freedoms of citizens in Azerbaijan was suspended: Namizad Safarov, Khalid Bagirov, Aslan Ismayilov, Alaif Hasanov, Elchin Namazov, Yalcin Imanov, Intigam Aliyev, Muzaffar Bakhishov, Annagi Hajibeyli Farhad Mehdiyev and others

Disciplinary measures were taken against other lawyers, including suspension for 1 year. -03B06-