IFEX, a global network of 95 organizations in the defense of freedom of expression has expressed deep concern with reports that the head of the Institute of Freedom and Safety (IRFS) Emin Huseynov is forced into hiding at the Swiss embassy in Baku.
This concern is expressed in the letter from IFEX to the First Lady of Azerbaijan, UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador Mehriban Aliyeva, UNESCO Director General Irina Bokova, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra'ad Al-Hussein and the UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression David Kay.
The appeal states that Huseynov has long been engaged in the protection of freedom of expression and media in Azerbaijan. Over the past decade, he defended hundreds of journalists, bloggers and activists. However, in the last six months, Emin has been unable to continue this important work.
In August 2014, in the midst of Azerbaijan's chairmanship of the Council of Europe, the police raided the offices of the IRFS, confiscating computers and documents, and sealed the office. Since then, Emin Huseynov has been hiding in the Swiss embassy in Baku to avoid imminent arrest on trumped up charges.
Emin Huseynov is charged with three articles of the Criminal Code of Azerbaijan: Article 308 (abuse of power), 213 (tax evasion) and 192 (illegal business).
According to the appeal, the charges are politically motivated. Other international organizations, including the OSCE, have condemned the charges.
The incident with Emin Huseynov and IRFS is not unique. In December 2014 the investigative journalist Khadija Ismayilova was arrested. In September 2014, the office of the American organization IREX in Azerbaijan was searched and the computers, documents and other electronic media were withdrawn.
"We appeal to you as a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador to support us. You have the ability to ensure the security and freedom of Emin Huseynov and other defenders of freedom of expression, whose human rights have been violated in Azerbaijan," the letter says.
They also asked to remove the charges from Huseynov and allow him to safely leave the country for humanitarian reasons, to stop the criminal case against IRFS, ensure full compliance with the freedom of expression and association in Azerbaijan, and to create favorable conditions for the activities of NGOs. -06D-
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