I am dismayed at the news that human rights defender Leyla Yunus and her husband have been detained and searched for hours at Baku airport, with difficulties to meet their lawyer, and at the subsequent questioning of Leyla Yunus by the Prosecutor’s office.
Unfortunately, this is an additional example showing the extent of intimidation and repression of critical voices in Azerbaijan, a problem which I have repeatedly highlighted – most recently, through observations published last week -- and asked the Azerbaijani authorities to address.
The authorities must immediately halt such practice and take urgent measures to ensure that the rights to freedom of expression, association and assembly are respected. As a member of the Council of Europe, Azerbaijan has the duty to comply with its human rights obligations and commitments.-16-
Politics
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On February 15 and 18, 2025, the website Day.az published articles containing defamatory allegations about the activities of the Turan news agency. In these materials, the author attempts to portray the agency as dependent on Western funding and subordinated to the interests of foreign entities.
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The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Moldova has decided to unilaterally terminate the Moldovan-Russian agreement from 1998 on the creation and operation of cultural centers.
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By the order of the head of state, Rufat Mahmud has been appointed the new head of the historical and architectural reserve "Icheri Sheher" – the historic center of Baku.
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On February 13, the Appeal Court did not satisfy the defense's appeal against the decision of the Khatai Court regarding the arrest of journalist Shahnaz Beylargizi. According to the lawyer, the journalist herself did not participate in the trial due to poor health. The defense intends to submit a petition to replace the arrest with house arrest.
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