Unprecedented repression against civil society in Azerbaijan which began in 2014 have intensified in 2015. The government suppressed the critical voices by filing lawsuits, interrogations, fines, searches, a ban on travel abroad and arrest of bank accounts, reads the statement released today: "Index of sustainable development of civil society organizations in 2015 - Azerbaijan", prepared by the USAID (United States Agency for International Development), based on expert survey. According to the report, many NGOs have been forced to substantially limit the activities of self-censorship imposed by limiting the work on public advocacy. As a result, in April 2015 Azerbaijan's membership in the International Transparency Initiative in the mining sector has been reduced from full membership to the candidate.
The deterioration of the atmosphere of civil society, took place against the backdrop of a sharp decline in oil prices in world prices, which caused the economic decline in the country and two devaluations of the national currency during the year. Parliamentary elections were boycotted by the opposition on the part of the background of failure to conduct ODIHR election monitoring because of government restrictions.
Rating "legal environment" NGO, in comparison with 2013 year deteriorated from 5.6 points to 6.4 points on 7-point scale. Among the main problems is the continuation of the practice of unjustified refusals in registration of NGOs, as well as the new Cabinet regulations that complicate the work of foreign donors and representatives of international NGOs.
Ratings on the criteria of "organizational capacity" (5.7) and "financial capacity" (6.3) .This is due to the forced departure from the country of several international organizations. In particular, was closed the OSCE Office in Baku, which implemented projects to support civil society.
The Oxfam, Counterpart International, World Vision and Save the Children had to leave Azerbaijan . Many local NGOs have suspended operations due to lack of funds and de facto ban on the grant.
Thus, dropped the rating "Public Advocacy", amounting to 5.9. For the same reason, reduced the amount of "Public Service" NGO, the rating on this indicator was 5.9. Indicator worsened "Infrastructure", which amounted to 5.5. Thus, the regional public internet centers have been closed due to limited financial resources.
As a result of the negative atmosphere created around NGOs by the pro-government media has worsened and the indicator "public image" of civil society - 5.7 The overall index of sustainable development of civil society organizations in the country in 2015 was 5.8, worsened by several points in comparison with 2014 (5.1 .) -06D-
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An online meeting of civil society activists focused on the human rights situation in Azerbaijan, convened on the initiative of the Justice Solidarity Committee, highlighted significant concerns over the detention of journalists, political activists, and opponents of the war. The gathering, held on August 30, coincided with the International Day of Remembrance of the Missing and underscored the ongoing challenges facing both Azerbaijani and Armenian societies in the wake of the Karabakh conflicts.
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No precipitation is expected in Baku and on the Absheron Peninsula; the northwestern wind will change to a southeastern wind during the day. Air temperatures will range from 21-26°C at night and 33-38°C during the day, according to the National Hydrometeorology Service of the Ministry of Ecology.
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A fire has erupted at the Experimental and Testing Production of the Scientific Research Institute of SOCAR (the state oil company) in the Surakhani district of Baku, the Ministry of Emergency Situations reported. "Thanks to the urgent and necessary measures taken by the Ministry of Emergency Situations, the spread of the fire to neighboring areas, including nearby residential buildings, has been prevented," the statement reads. Efforts to extinguish the fire are still ongoing.
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In September, the average monthly air temperature in Azerbaijan is expected to be close to the climatic norm. Precipitation levels will also be near the norm, but in some areas, they will exceed it, according to the September forecast from the National Hydrometeorological Service.
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