In an interview conducted by Objective TV Channel with the Director of Institute for Peace and Democracy Leyla Yunus, she stated “political power in Azerbaijan is based on the presence of political prisoners. Furthermore, it is not just an authoritarian power, but a mafia power due to methods of governing. Its mission is to intimidate people in order to successfully rob the wealth of the country, and senior officials are people living with today's interests.”
Azerbaijan has been a member of the CE for more than 10 years. If concerned in changes they would have done so by now. During the presidency of Heydar Aliyev, there were 714 political prisoners, then 28 (such a large number was explained by a widespread accusations of attempts of military coups.)
Recently, all prisoners of conscience and political prisoners are accused of possessing and distributing drugs, disorderly conduct, and contempt of the authority, blackmail and extortion. In summary, they are not only imprisoned, the authorities insult their dignity by fabricated charges.
There are 70 such names in the list of Yunus, however probably not a complete list, as there are lawsuits which have not been noticed by the Human Rights defenders.
In this regard, is noteworthy the report of Christopher Strasser, prepared for the PACE Monitoring Committee. The report was prepared thoroughly, and includes 89 prisoners of conscience and political prisoners.
It is striking, that people begin to fight for their civil rights when the trouble touches them directly. At other times they are "treading on the same track," as before. For example, Rasul Guliyev being a chairman of the Supreme Council of Autonomous Republic, together with his relatives, took an active part in the destruction of riot police, however later he was declared the opposition member, and his relatives were put in jail together with the riot police.
There are various situations when close relatives of accused person of crimes against the government, try to negotiate with the authorities. They appeal to Human Rights activists only after the court passes too harsh of a sentence against the opposition members.
Based on personal conversations with those on committee for PACE Monitoring of Azerbaijan, Pedro Agramaunt (Spain), and Joseph Debono Grech (Malta), they do not recognize Human Rights violations in Azerbaijan, states Yunus. According to her, there is no place for such people in a reputable international institution, and 38 NGOs have appealed to the PACE, demanding the withdrawal of these figures, which in fact are working for the government of Azerbaijan.
Representatives of Azerbaijani Diaspora in Europe make movements with similar demands, and this campaign will be extended until the speakers on Azerbaijan are not replaced by a demanding and principal persons of PACE, said Leyla Yunus. -17D -
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