First Prize named after Isakhan Ashurov received Hilal Mamedov

The first prize  named after lawyer Isakhan Ashurov was awarded  the human rights activist and editor of "Tolyshi sado"  newspaper, Hilal Mammadov.

The award established by the Institute of Peace and Democracy (IPD), was held today at the office of  the EL Movement. The award,  a statuette of Themis,  was awarded  to the lawyer of the editor, Ramiz Mamedov in the presence of his family.

According to the Director of the IMD, Leyla Yunus, the choice of the winner was not easy, the  candidatures of lawyers and human rights defenders were considered. However, the final choice was made in favor of Mammadov, who is in the most difficult situations. Yunus expressed a hope that in the future the icon of the winner will decorate breasts of other lawyers and human rights activists, who selflessly fight for human rights. 

Hilal Mammadov was arrested in June last year on charges of treason, inciting ethnic hatred, drug possession.

However, according to the international and local human rights activists, Mamedov is  persecuted for political reasons for his human rights activities and active citizenship.

He is the author of the popular music video "Who are you, let's goodbye."

"We hope that the TV channels who showed this clip will show and the story of  his award," said Yunus.

Speaking about the importance Ashurov, Yunus said that he was an officer of honor, defending the country against external and internal enemies. Yunus regretted that the authorities prevented the ceremony, and many five-star hotels refused to provide space. Yunus noted that currently the civil society  actually functions in  underground.

Political scientist Hikmet Hajizadeh, noted Ashurov’s merits in defense of human rights,  and called  him  an outstanding personality and intellectual.

The award was established  on June 23, 2012 after the death of Ashurov. It will be awarded to citizens to become active in the protection of human rights and the rule of law.

In 1984-89  Isakhan Ashurov  worked in the main investigative team of the Interior Ministry  of the  USSR.

In 1992-93 - Police Chief in  Gazakh region and active participant in protection  against the  attacks by Armenian armed forces.

In 1994 he was convicted on charges of abuse of power, for  preventing the  seizure of power by armed groups  of Surat Huseynov.

Since 1996 Ashurov  was engaged in advocacy, defending the rights of political prisoners and many "prisoners of conscience."

On June 22, 2012 Ashurov died in a clinic in USA. -03C06-