Evaluation in Azerbaijan of Report of US State Department on Human Rights Violations in 2018

Baku / 14.03.19 / Turan: The report of the US State Department is not based on facts or any investigation. That is how the State Department"s report on human rights in 2018, ws commented by Deputy Executive Secretary of the ruling New Azerbaijan Party, Siyavush Novruzov, on Voice of America.

"The State Department reprinted old materials without even making changes to them. They included a report written by Ali Kerimli and some members of the National Council. What sources do they refer to - members of the family? ... And will a family member ever admit that his relative has committed crimes?

Or it is claimed that someone was tortured with a current, beaten with a baton on the heels, or something else. How do they know? Were they there or what?" Novruzov said.

According to him, "Bazaar or street conversations should not be brought to the level of state documents, there should be basic research."

He considers the report one-sided. The preparation of such reports serves certain interests. "For the independent policy of Azerbaijan and the forthcoming pardon do not suit them. They want the Azerbaijani state to act under their dictation, to carry out instructions against other countries," Novruzov said.

"Over 20 Internet TV channels operate in Azerbaijan. Through YouTube, other international Internet resources from abroad, there is a smear campaign against Azerbaijan. Behind this are those who sit in the State Department. All this is happening on their instructions and financial assistance," Novruzov said.

"I can also ask: who killed Kennedy? Let them find them. Can't they still find them? Who has ever been punished for torture in Guantanamo? Let them call at least one or two," Novruzov continued.

In turn, the investigative journalist, member of the working group on drawing up a list of political prisoners, Khadija Ismayilova, believes that the report fairly objectively reflects the situation in Azerbaijan. However, she noted that the scale of human rights violations is much greater. However, the report reflects more facts and types of violations of human rights than before.

"It is gratifying that the diplomatic representation has managed to find the time to trace these facts and reflect them in the report," said Ismayilova. At the same time, she pointed out problems in the field of violence against women and violations of their rights.

Positive is the reflection in the report of the facts of the killing of people during special operations of law enforcement agencies, and under investigation. In her opinion, these facts should be investigated internationally.

"It would be good if, following the State Department"s report, a UN mission arrived in the country to investigate these violations. For the last three years in Azerbaijan, special services have been killing people for no reason at all, and the scale of this is causing serious concern," Ismayilova said.

The head of the National Council of Democratic Forces, Jamil Hasanli, also believes that the report reflects reality, although in reality the situation is even more depressing. In his opinion, it is time to take sanctions against the Azerbaijani authorities due to large-scale violations of human rights.

In his opinion, law enforcement agencies and courts have committed serious violations and someone must answer for this. The authorities do not investigate the actions of those who commit torture, but, on the contrary, promote them. The investigating authorities are so out of constitutional oversight that they do not even try to imitate the observance of the rule of law.

"Criminal cases are fabricated against people without justification. The media are almost muffled, and journalists are being persecuted. For the third time in a row, meetings of the NCDF are prohibited," Hasanli said. -06D-