Issue of political prisoners in Azerbaijan raised at UN Human Rights Council session

Baku/13.09.23/Turan: Azerbaijani authorities should release Gubad Ibadoglu, Bakhtiyar Hajiyev, other political prisoners and stop repression against the country's civil society.

Emin Huseynov, an Azerbaijani human rights activist and director of the Institute for Reporters' Freedom and Security (IRFS), made such a call at the 54th session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva on 13 September.

He welcomed the activity of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, noting also his statement on the case of opposition politician and economist scientist Gubad Ibadoglu arrested in Azerbaijan.

At the same time, Huseynov expressed concern with the statement of Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Ceyhun Bayramov, who also spoke at the UN Human Rights Council session on 13 September and criticised the activities of UN Special Rapporteurs for ignoring the opinions of governments.

Huseynov recalled that the impartiality of special rapporteurs is precisely ensured by the fact that they are not obliged to take into account the positions of states when it comes to cases of non-compliance with international human rights standards.

He further drew attention to the criminal prosecution in Azerbaijan of Gubad Ibadoglu and Bakhtiyar Hajiyev, known for their anti-corruption activities.

Huseynov called on the Azerbaijani authorities to respect citizens' freedoms, ensure accountability and transparency, put an end to repression against civil society and release all political prisoners.

Recall that the IRFS has the status of a partner organisation of the UN Human Rights Council.  -06В-