On Monday the U.S. Ambassador to Azerbaijan Richard Morningstar met with group of human rights activists.
It discussed the situation with human rights and freedoms in Azerbaijan in the light of the U.S. State Department report on human rights in 2012.
During the meeting, they discussed such issues as human rights, freedom of speech and the rule of law.
According to the annual report released in April by the U.S. State Department on the state of human rights in the world, the most serious problems in Azerbaijan are:
1. Restrictions on freedom of expression, including intimidation, arrests, physical pressure on journalists and pro-democratic activists.
2. Restrictions on freedom of assembly.
3. Unfair trials, including arrests for political reasons, government influence on the courts, prolonged pre-trial detention.
4. Violation of property rights and forced evictions without adequate compensation.
In addition, torture committed by the police and in prison, violation of privacy, restrictions on religious freedom of a number of unregistered Muslim communities, corruption at all levels of government, the refusal to register human rights NGOs, etc.
According to Azerbaijani human rights activists, since the beginning of the year the situation has worsened.—0—
Politics
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A candidate in the municipal elections for the 23rd Nasimi-Sabail electoral district, activist Djamila Alisheva, has reported administrative barriers in conducting her campaign. She claims that the district election commission is refusing to provide the necessary forms for her authorized representatives.
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On January 15, the Tbilisi Court of Appeals rejected the appeal of Afghan Sadigov, the founder of the Azel TV website, who had protested his extradition to Azerbaijan. Sadigov’s wife, Sevinj Sadigova, stated that this was the final judicial instance in Georgia making a decision on the case, Turan reported. On the other hand, lawyer Mariam Kvelashvili informed Turan that the defense would continue legal steps to prevent the extradition of Afghan Sadigov. According to his wife, Afghan has been on hunger strike for 117 days, and his health is critical.
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Jamil Hajiyev, a member of the National Council of Democratic Forces, has reported continued pressure from the police. On January 10, during the trial of opposition figure Tofig Yagublu at the Baku Serious Crimes Court, Hajiyev unfurled a banner reading "Freedom for Political Prisoners!"
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On January 15, the Yasamal District Court rejected the motion to change the detention measure for Azer Gasymly, the director of the Institute of Political Management, his lawyer, Agyl Laidj, to Turan. "Azer Gasymly stated during the trial that the charges against him were fabricated and related to his socio-political activities," the lawyer said. An appeal will be filed against the court's decision.
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