"Line of Defense" notes the deterioration of human rights in Azerbaijan

Baku/12.09.23/Turan: "Over the past three months, the provisions of the Constitution of Azerbaijan, the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Freedoms, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights have not been observed in Azerbaijan, especially political freedoms have been grossly violated,"  the report of the human rights organization "Line of Protection" on the human rights situation in June-August 2023.

In particular, the provisions of the Constitution on rights and freedoms, equality of all before the law and the court, the right to fair justice, protection of honor and dignity, freedom of assembly, conscience, expression, press and information were grossly violated.

The practice of illegal punishments was carried out. The Azerbaijani government has shown no interest in legal and political reforms, in creating conditions for the development of free media, civil society institutions, as well as the development of the political system.

On the contrary, repressions against critics of the regime have intensified, the facts of torture and inhuman treatment have increased. Arrests of journalists, activists, politicians, and believers have become commonplace .The number of political prisoners in the country has exceeded 200 people. Corruption in the state apparatus remains a systemic phenomenon.

"The National Action Plan for strengthening the fight against corruption for 2022-2026 is formally declarative. The anti-Corruption law adopted in 2005, as well as the rules for the declaration of information on property, finances of officials and their family members are not respected, this information is not published in open sources.

As a result, Azerbaijan ranks 157th among 180 countries in the Transparency International Corruption Perception Index. 

Attention is also drawn to repressive measures against believers, and in particular activists of the "Muslim Unity" Movement.

Arrested believers are usually accused of drug trafficking, and in government-controlled media they are presented as "spies" and "traitors".

Against the background of tensions between Azerbaijan and Iran, these believers were isolated from society on the basis of trumped-up charges. After their detention, they were subjected to mental and physical pressure. In some cases, detained believers were threatened with rape.

The report also draws attention to the fines imposed against political parties. "After the entry into force of the new law "On Political Parties", criticized by the Venice Commission of the Council of Europe and the Office of Democratic Institutions and Human Rights of the OSCE, the Code of Administrative Misconduct was amended.

According to the innovations, fines from 700 to 1000 manats are introduced for any actions related to the activities of the party oirgans whose term of office has expired.

The entry into force of these and other reactionary legal norms testifies to the establishment of a permissive system for political activity in Azerbaijan, which undermines fundamental freedoms, the report of the "Line of Defense" further says. ---06--