'The punishment of lawyers is the composition of the general process'

In a recent development that has raised concerns about the protection of legal professionals' rights and the independence of the legal system, Zibeyda Sadigova, an attorney associated with the bar association, has been summoned to a meeting of the Presidium. Sources indicate that the meeting was convened to discuss a potential disciplinary action against her. While the reasons behind the summons have not been definitively revealed, Sadigova suspects that her vocal defense of human rights might be the underlying cause for this move.

The incident follows a series of similar occurrences within the legal community, the most notable being the dismissal of lawyer Elchin Sadigov. Historically, such actions have been justified by authorities by pointing to lawyers' involvement in political cases, especially their participation in defending opposition politicians and investigative journalists.

The Bar Association has been consistent in asserting that the removal of certain members from its ranks is rooted in their alleged violations of legal requirements and disciplinary standards, rather than being politically motivated. Officials from the bar association stress the importance of not attributing undue political significance to these actions.

The year 2018 witnessed the implementation of an amendment to the "Law on Lawyers and Advocacy," sparking criticism and intensifying debates. Following this, lawyers who lost their membership with the Bar Association were even restricted from representing clients in civil cases, a stark departure from previous regulations that had limited such restrictions to criminal cases alone.

While the Bar Association has not yet provided an official statement regarding Sadigova's situation, Fazil Mustafa, a member of the human rights committee of the Milli Majlis, Azerbaijan's parliament, expressed skepticism about the notion of imposing disciplinary measures on lawyers merely for fulfilling their duty to safeguard human rights. Mustafa in an interview with Turan pointed out that the Bar Association's leadership operates transparently, making periodic statements about its activities. He believes that such undue pressure is unlikely given the present atmosphere.

Bashir Suleymanli, the head of the Civil Rights Institute, highlighted the historical challenges faced by lawyers championing human rights causes. Suleymanli in an interview with Radio Azadlig emphasized that this is not an isolated issue and that a long-standing bias against such lawyers exists. Lawyers defending human rights have often been subjected to punitive measures, with precedent dating back to instances involving Alayif Hasanov, Yalchin Imanov, Khalid Bagirov, and others, who were all expelled from the Bar Association for their beliefs.

Suleymanli further underscored the interconnectedness of this punitive trend with the broader suppression of civil society and independent journalism. He labeled it a mechanism to quash opposition and curtail freedom of expression. The punitive actions against lawyers resonate as a warning to others who might consider advocating against the established order.

An additional consequence of this pattern, as Suleymanli pointed out, is the difficulty that opposition activists, independent journalists, and civil society figures face when attempting to secure legal representation. If this trend continues, it could further deteriorate the already precarious situation.

As the discourse unfolds, legal and human rights advocates continue to scrutinize these developments, underscoring the need for a comprehensive understanding of the complex intersection between law, politics, and human rights advocacy in Azerbaijan's evolving landscape.