U.S. Scholars Urge Action for Azerbaijani Economist's Medical Care
A group of academics and researchers have called on U.S. Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken to intervene in the case of Azerbaijani economist Dr. Gubad Ibadoghlu, who is under house arrest in Baku. The letter, signed by over 50 scholars, highlights the deteriorating health of Dr. Ibadoghlu and requests urgent action to allow him to receive medical care abroad.
Dr. Ibadoghlu, a prominent economist, was arrested on July 23, 2023, on charges considered by many to be politically motivated. After spending 274 days in detention under harsh conditions, he is now awaiting trial on August 20, 2024. The letter emphasizes that his health has severely declined during his detention, with a critical expansion of the aorta in his heart posing a significant risk to his life.
The signatories of the letter, including prominent figures from institutions such as Harvard University, Yale University, and Columbia University, argue that Dr. Ibadoghlu does not have access to adequate medical care in Azerbaijan. They urge Secretary Blinken to press Azerbaijani authorities to lift his travel ban, drop the charges against him, and allow him to seek necessary medical treatment abroad.
The letter is signed by a diverse group of academics, including Arien Mack, Founder & Director of the New University in Exile Consortium, and Abdul Aziz Mohibbi of Maynooth University. They collectively stress the importance of immediate U.S. diplomatic intervention to secure Dr. Ibadoghlu's health and well-being.
The plea comes amid increasing international scrutiny of Azerbaijan's human rights record and treatment of political detainees. The U.S. State Department has yet to respond to the letter.
Politics
-
The United States sees opportunities to achieve peace between Azerbaijan and Armenia, US Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs James O'Brien said at a briefing in Baku today. He stressed that "the settlement of the conflict will be beneficial for the entire region, at the same time it will bring economic benefits."
-
On June28, about 50 secondary school teachers who have not been re-certified gathered in front of the Ministry of Science and Education to express their dissatisfaction. They complained about the conditions of the certification exam. According to the protesters, there were technical problems in computers during the exam, and the time allotted for answering questions was very short. At the same time, according to the teachers, despite the fact that they answered many questions, their scores were underestimated.
-
On June 28, the President of Azerbaijan signed an order on the dissolution of the Milli Majlis and the appointment of early parliamentary elections for September 1. The initiator of the early elections was the ruling Yeni Azerbaijan party. On June 21, at the suggestion of deputies from this party, the parliament adopted an appeal to the president with a request to dissolve parliament and call early elections, since the next elections coincided in November with the global climate conference COP29 in Baku.
-
Jamil Hasanli, chairman of the National Council of Democratic Forces, has criticized the recent decisions to dissolve the Milli Majlis (National Assembly) of Azerbaijan and the subsequent approval by the Constitutional Court, labeling them as unconstitutional and politically motivated.
Leave a review