US Mission to OSCE Calls for Release of Mehman Huseynov

The US Permanent Mission to the OSCE issued a statement condemning the verdict to the Azerbaijani blogger Mehman Huseynov and his torture while in the Nasimi district police.

In an appeal to the OSCE Permanent Council in Vienna, the US Mission notes that the Azerbaijani authorities have to release Huseynov and other activists, stop the repression and suppression of freedoms of civil activists and punish those guilty of violating Huseynov's rights.

“We urge the government of Azerbaijan to uphold its OSCE commitments to respect human rights and fundamental freedoms, to release Mehman Huseynov and all others incarcerated for exercising their fundamental freedoms, and to cease the intimidation and detention of those who exercise their human rights and fundamental freedoms, including freedom of expression.

We call on Azerbaijani authorities to conduct a thorough and impartial investigation into Mr. Huseynov’s allegations of abuse while in detention and to bring to justice those found responsible for any abuses,” the appeal says. -16D-