New Human Rights Organization Established

Baku / 21.07.20 / Turan: A group of Azerbaijani lawyers and public activists announced the building of a new human rights organization called Defense Line.

The founders of the new structure are: former prosecutor and political prisoner Rufat Safarov, lawyer Rashid Hajili, lawyer Alaif Hasanov, and public activists Zafar Ahmedov, Saigyn Rustamli, Zaur Akbar and journalist Tazakhan Miralamli.

Safarov was elected the executive director of the organization, the manifesto of which says the Defense Line was created to protect and support human rights in Azerbaijan and ensure the rule of law.

 The purpose of the structure is to develop democracy in Azerbaijan through free and fair elections, separation of powers, accountability and transparency of the government, and development of civil society.

 The main activities of the Defense Line are monitoring and documenting human rights violations, legal assistance in courts, providing psychological assistance to victims, and collecting donations.

 The organization intends to prepare regular reports for the public of the country and international organizations.

 In addition, the organization intends to support initiatives on legislative and political reforms in the field of human rights, to raise public awareness, publish daily news, and respond to the human rights situation.

The Defense Line also intends to coordinate the efforts of human rights defenders, activists, journalists and bloggers, to implement joint projects. — 03В06--