Group of Human Rights Organizations Speak on Political Prisoners

Representatives of Monitoring Group of Human Rights Organizations of Azerbaijan said today at a press conference, the results of the PACE summer session proved to be difficult for Azerbaijan, they  do not   perceive ambiguously  the criticism against Azerbaijan.

   Thus, human rights activist Sayida Gojamanli, believes that the number of political prisoners (89, noted in the report of Christopher Strasser), a special rapporteur on political prisoners,  is not true.

    First, 17 of the prisoners have been released. 

    Secondly, those convicted for the attack in the Baku metro in March 1994, cannot be regarded as political prisoners.

   Thirdly, the list includes names of those whom trials not yet been concluded.

   Human rights activists have reported, proposals have been submitted to the authorities for the resolution of the issue on political prisoners. In particular, the resumption of the active group functioning in 2003-2005, which consisted of human rights defenders, law enforcement agencies and civil society institutions.

     The monitoring group provided a list of 10 political prisoners, four of which include; Vidadi Iskenderli, Telman Aliyev, and two ex-ministers; Ali Insanov and Farhad Aliyev, all are regarded as seriously ill.

   The monitoring group does not regard  the  “Group of  Dadashbeyli” and members of the Islamic Party as political prisoners. Nevertheless, human rights activists consider it important to a fair hearing of their cases.

    According to human rights activists,  PACE  session discussed  not only a question of political prisoners, but also freedom of expression, press, assembly, property rights, and unfair trials.

   The Monitoring Group reported that they would start on developing proposals   on democratization of the Electoral Code due to upcoming presidential elections. -05C04-