Azerbaijani Emigrants in Georgia Create Human Rights Structure

Baku / 09.10.18 / Turan: Azerbaijani activists Avtandil Mammadli and Elchin Namazov, who are in political emigration in Georgia, established the human rights institution "Institute for the Protection of Rights and Freedoms" (IPRF). This is stated by the new human rights structure.

The establishment of such a structure was caused by the "paralysis" of human rights organizations and the need to inform international organizations about the human rights situation in Azerbaijan, and to provide legal and other assistance to Azerbaijani immigrants in Georgia.

"Due to pressure from the authorities of Azerbaijan, most of the NGOs in our country have suspended activities, and the rest are forced to work under the serious influence of the authorities. Azerbaijani authorities have created intolerable conditions for public activity," the statement said.

A significant number of people, fleeing pressure and persecution, are forced to take refuge in neighboring Georgia, the document further says. "Unfortunately, the Government of Georgia, due to close economic and business ties with Azerbaijan, as well as important energy and transport projects, does not pay attention to the safety of immigrants, and they are constantly at risk and threats.

To counteract these negative processes, we decided to unite and act in the form of an organization," the statement stresses.

The organization operates in Tbilisi and has been registered in state bodies of Georgia. Avtandil Mammadli in Azerbaijan headed the Branch of the Helsinki Civil Assembly (HCA) for the northern region of the country.

Elchin Namazov, being a lawyer, was known to participate in the defense of the rights of civil and religious activists and bloggers. In 2011, he was expelled from the Bar Association and engaged in human rights activities, and for this he was subjected to pressure and even administrative arrest. -06D--