Nils Mujzhnieks meets with civil society activists

During his visit to Azerbaijan, the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights met with the civil society and human rights activists Samir Kazimly, Gunay Ismayilova, journalist Khadija Ismail, a member of the movement NIDA Turgut Gambar, as well as lawyers: Fariz Namazly, Khalid Bagirov and Javad Javadli.

Samir Kazimly told Turan they focused on the problem of political prisoners.

In addition, they pointed out a new wave of lawsuits demanding criminal liability against Khadija Ismail, the lawyer Alaif Hasanov, members of the National Council Eldaniz Guliyev and Gultekin Hajibeyli. All this is happening against the backdrop of the Council of Europe calls for the abolition of criminal defamation.

Several participants expressed skepticism about the possibility of solving the problem of political prisoners in the Working Group, which is dominated by representatives of the authorities and pro-government NGOs.

In addition, questions were raised about blocking the activities of NGOs, their prosecution and deprivation of the funding.

Mujzhnieks assured that in the course of his meetings with officials he would raise these questions.

In addition, within the framework of his mandate, he will make every effort to inform about these issues all the structures of the Council of Europe and the international community.

The visit of Mujzhnieks will be completed on October 24. -06D-