Local NGOs send an appeal to the PACE session
More than a hundred NGOs in Azerbaijan signed a petition to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE ) in connection with the adoption of restrictive amendments by Parliament , which could affect the activities of NGOs .
The document's authors draw attention to the introduction of reactionary amendments to the law on NGOs, while the authorities continue politically motivated arrests and detention. Currently in prison are nine journalists, two human rights activists and 12 advocates of freedom of expression.
Authors reminded PACE resolutions condemning arrests of politicians, other activists and journalists for political reasons in Azerbaijan.
The appeal particularly focuses on criminal cases against the leader of the REAL movement Ilgar Mamedov and the head of the Center for Monitoring Elections and Democracy Training Anar Mammadli.
The letter emphasizes that while suppressing the freedom of assembly and expression also limited is the freedom of association .
Back in March 2013 the authorities adopted severe amendments to the legislation regulating NGOs, limiting their sources of funding and establishing heavy fines even for technical violations of the law.
A series of new amendments introduced in December 2013 set new limits for NGOs such as toughening fines for violations in NGO activities, which create obstacles for unregistered NGOs and extend suspension of registration for NGOs, etc.
In addition, in 2012 amendments were made to the legislation, defining details of the owners of companies as commercial secrets, which also limited the ability of NGOs to carry out the functions of social control.
The authors urge PACE to require the authorities of Azerbaijan to improve the human rights situation , cancel reactionary amendments approved in recent years, and stop limiting the fundamental freedoms.
The appeal was submitted to the PACE management by Azerbaijani human rights activists on January 27. The text was also distributed among the deputies of the Assembly. -05D06 -
Social
-
Ahmed Mammadov and Etibar Veliyev were detained in an operation by employees of the main Directorate for combating Cybersecurity of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. They are suspected of stealing funds from citizens' bank cards.
-
Precipitation is expected in places in Baku and Absheron on July 17; the wind is north-westerly. The daytime air temperature will be +30+35 degrees, the daytime humidity will be 50-60%. Intense precipitation with thunderstorms and hail will take place in mountainous areas of the country. There is fog in places in the morning and evening. The wind is easterly. In the lowlands during the day +31+ 36, in the mountains +18+ 23 degrees.
-
A day later, the Interior Ministry reacted to shocking video footage on social networks, where a police officer slips a package into the pocket of a citizen and then detains him with violence.
-
An artillery shell suitable for use was found in the village of Yeni Yashma in Khyzy district, the Emergency Situations Ministry said today. A mine clearance task force of the Emergency Situations Ministry's special risk rescue service was sent to the scene.
Leave a review