Nils Muiznieks: Baku Should Change Course if It Wants to Improve Relations with Europe

Strasbourg / 23.01.18 / Turan: "I strongly condemn the verdict on the journalist Afgan Mukhtarly. I consider this a continuation of the lawlessness started with his abduction in Tbilisi and illegal transportation across the border to Azerbaijan."

This was stated by the European Commissioner for Human Rights Nils Muiznieks in a conversation with Turan, commenting on the verdict on the investigative journalist Afgan Mukhtarly about his imprisonment for 6 years on charges of smuggling and illegal crossing of the border.

It is unfortunate that the Georgian authorities did not investigate this egregious case, which also gave rise to a lot of questions.

This case showed that the Azerbaijani authorities do not only pursue their critics within the country, but also conduct punitive actions outside of Azerbaijan. This is absolutely unacceptable, the European Commissioner noted.

Asked about the attitude of the international community, Muiznieks said that Baku must fulfill its own obligations in the field of human rights and the international partners will continue to demand that Baku fulfill them.

"First of all, we demand compliance with the provisions of the European Convention on Human Rights and the release of Ilgar Mammadov in accordance with the decision of the European Court of Human Rights.

We also demand ensuring the rights of independent lawyers and giving them the opportunity to work freely in Azerbaijan,

We also insist on the need to release convicts for political reasons and to lift restrictions on movement for those who have already been released from detention," the European Commissioner said.

Further, Mr. Muiznieks stressed that the authorities should remove all those restrictions that made the work of civil society in the country impossible and stop criminal proceedings against dozens of NGOs, started in 2014.

"The Azerbaijani authorities should change course if they want to normalize relations with Europe," he said.

When asked whether sanctions could be imposed on Azerbaijan, Muiznieks said this issue is not within his competence. "These are political steps that are beyond my authority," he said and added that the situation is serious enough and this topic is on the agenda of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe. -16B-