OCHR draws attention of authorities to human rights problems

Baku/10.12.12/Turan: Today in Azerbaijan there is a great need for better protection of human rights and freedoms, reads the statement of the Baku Human Rights Club on the International Human Rights Day celebrated on December 10.  In particular, there are problems with the implementation of a number of rights, including freedom of assembly, expression, property rights. There are issues that require urgent solutions, which would be a contribution towards general democratic progress.

The OCHR, for its part, is ready to make efforts to address a wide range of problems, including reconciliation and reintegration in Karabakh, and social issues. The OCHR believes that by taking the following steps, the government could better fulfill its responsibility to protect human rights:

- use the mechanisms of pardon, amnesty, early release for the release of political prisoners;

- simplify the legislation in the field of NGOs, including in matters relating to their registration, expanding financial opportunities, access to grants.

The OCHR is attaching a list of 96 convicted persons who are subject to release due to gross violations of rights during the investigation and trial.

These persons are divided into the following groups: “journalists”, “political activists”, “believing activists”, “life prisoners” (three members of the former OPON, who have been in prison for 25 years), persons involved in the “Ganja case”.

The OCHR was established this spring by human rights activist Rasul Jafarov and lawyer Javad Javadov. -0-