U.S. Senate
Senators Coons, Tillis, colleagues issue bipartisan call for immediate release of renowned economist Gubad Ibadoghlu and express concern over state of human rights in Azerbaijan
Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Ben Cardin (D-Md.), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), and John Fetterman (D-Pa.) released the following statement today:
“Today marks the one-year anniversary of the Azerbaijani government’s unjust detainment of Dr. Gubad Ibadoghlu – a world-respected economist and academic with close ties to American universities – on false charges of manufacturing counterfeit foreign currency and possessing extremist materials. After a year, the Azerbaijanis have yet to provide Dr. Ibadoghlu with legal counsel, a fair trial, or basic care. We are deeply concerned for Dr. Ibadoghlu’s welfare as he faces mistreatment and inhumane conditions, including the denial of appropriate medical care despite his deteriorating health.
“Like many human rights defenders in Azerbaijan, Dr. Ibadoghlu has demonstrated a tireless commitment to promoting democracy, good governance, and human rights both in his home country of Azerbaijan and in the United States, where he has lived and worked. We strongly condemn the Azerbaijani government’s treatment of Dr. Ibadoghlu and call for his immediate and unequivocal release so that he may be reunited with his wife, Irada, and his children, Zhala, Ibad, and Emin.”
Senators Coons and Tillis are Co-Chairs of the Senate Human Rights Caucus.
Politics
-
Germany's Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, who arrived in Baku today, held a press conference at the COP29 climate conference. When asked about the arrested climate activists and opposition figures in Azerbaijan, she stated that Germany advocates for the release of government critics and that she would raise this issue during her meeting with Azerbaijan's Foreign Minister. She specifically mentioned the name of Professor Gubad Ibadoglu, a doctor from Dresden University.
-
On November 21, climate activists held a series of protests at the COP29 climate conference in Baku. The main themes of the protests included nuclear weapons testing, animal killings, protection of rivers and water bodies, and environmental pollution.
-
The General Assembly of the Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum (EaP CSF) adopted a resolution on Friday reaffirming its commitment to democratic reforms, regional stability, and European integration amidst escalating geopolitical tensions driven by Russia's ongoing aggression in Ukraine.
-
Activist Nijat Ibrahim, who was detained in Baku pre-trial detention center-1, inflicted numerous wounds on himself on November 20 in protest against unjustified criminal prosecution, his wife Parvin Ibrahim told Turan. According to her, on November 21, her husband called her and informed her that the day before he had inflicted incised wounds on himself with a piece of mirror. In particular, he cut his throat and ears.
Leave a review