Michel Forst: Human Rights Activists Not Traitors, but Defenders of Justice

Baku / 22.09.16 / Turan: People engaged in the protection of human rights in Azerbaijan should be seen not as traitors, but as heroes. These people try for the sake of building a free and just society in Azerbaijan. This is the main message by the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights, Michel Forst, on the visit to Azerbaijan.

At a press conference on September 22, he called on the Azerbaijani authorities to stop the persecution of human rights defenders and other civil society representatives, to release activists and journalists from prison, to lift restrictions on the activities of NGOs and unblock their bank accounts, to eliminate restrictions on leaving the country by leaders and members of public associations.

According to Forst, the Azerbaijani civil society has been in the most difficult situation in the past three years since the republic gained independence.

During this period, at least 20 journalists and bloggers faced harassment and sanctions because of their criticisms.

He also pointed to the establishment of restrictions on the activities of NGOs.

Thus, in December 2014 the activities of Radio Azadlig were suspended in the broader context of criminal proceedings against the civil society. At the same time the MeydanTV office was forced to close.

And two months ago in connection with lighting the attempted coup in Turkey the broadcasting of the ANS TV channel was discontinued.

The publishing of the newspapers Zerkalo and Khural was also stopped.

Forst also commented on the problems faced by the newspaper Azadlig, whose leading columnist Seymour Hazy was arrested in August 2014 on trumped-up charges. Forst met Hazy in the jail. Next Forst pointed to the arrest of the paper’s Financial Director, Faig Amirov, and the following suspension of the paper’s bank accounts.

He also drew attention to the condemnation of the journalist Khadija Ismayilova to 7.5 years in prison. Later, she was released though, but for five years the journalist will not be able to leave the country.

Also suspended are the activities of the Media Rights Institute and the Institute for Reporters Freedom and Safety.

Forst also pointed to restrictions on access to information.

In 2013, the legislation was amended, which forbade the disclosure of data of the founders of commercial legal entities, making it difficult to conduct anti-corruption investigations by NGOs and the media.

According to Forst, officials told him these restrictions were caused by the fact that the owners of companies were often subjected to blackmailing. However, the UN expert said the authorities’ arguments are not convincing, because the law creates safeguards against blackmailing.

Despite the opportunities of access to the Internet and the increasing number of social media, punishment may follow for the criticism.

E.g., the PFPA Deputy Chairman Fuad Gahramanli’s calls for citizens to protect their rights entailed his arrest for “anti-government appeals and incitement to religious hatred.”

The blogger Mehman Huseynov cannot leave the country because of the criminal case instigated before 2012.

Forst also said the freedom of assembly is restricted. He gave authorities a list of 45 people who were detained or arrested in connection with the opposition rally on 17 September.

‘I look forward to introducing clarity on this list,’ Forst said.

Forst spoke about the paralysis of the civil society as a result of the amendments made to the legislation in recent years.

The law does not prohibit the activity of not registered NGOs, but they cannot open bank accounts, acquire legal status, or receive local or foreign funding.

More obstacles are created for the activities of foreign NGOs, which are required to sign an agreement with the government for a limited time and the obligation to “respect the national and spiritual values ​​of the Azerbaijani people.”

Foreign donors have to receive permission from the government to provide grants. In addition, grants have to be registered.

Many NGOs have faced criminal cases, tax audits, heavy fines and restrictions on leaving the country by NGO leaders in the recent years.

Forst touched upon the issue of pressure on lawyers defending journalists and activists.

In recent years, at least four lawyers, Khalid Baghirov, Muzaffar Bakhishov, Alaif Hasanov and Aslan Ismayilov, were excluded from the Bar Association.

To help solve these problems Forst proposed the creation of an interdepartmental commission from the Azerbaijani government entities, including representatives of the civil society. Such dialogue is in the interests of Azerbaijan, Forst said.

The UN expert will prepare a more comprehensive report, which will be presented to the UN Human Rights Council in March 2017. He expressed his willingness to cooperate with the Azerbaijani government in the provision of technical assistance for the solution of these problems.

During his visit to Azerbaijan on September 14-22 Forst met with representatives of the Presidential Administration, the law enforcement agencies, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Communications, the Ministry of Taxes, as well as the civil society. -06D--