Will there be a new pardon?

The regular meeting of the Working Group on Human Rights with the participation of representatives of government and civil society took place on June 1.

 Among other issues the  participants discussed   issues on political prisoners, according to the member of the Working Group, co-chair of the Helsinki Citizens' Assembly Arzu Abdullayeva.

Despite the release  of most of  political prisoners, some of them are still in prison. In particular, the leader of the "REAL" Ilgar Mammadov, former ministers Ali Insanov and Nijat Guliyev, youth activists Faraj Karimli, Ilkin Rustamzade, Abdul Abilov, journalist Seymour Hazy. In addition, human rights activists presented to the working group about 100 citizens' complaints on unfair court decisions in civil cases.

Activists have also proposed to revise the law on NGOs, because in its present form it has become an obstacle to the activities of public associations. Another member of the Working Group, the head of the Society for Women's Rights Novella Jafaroglu also confirmed the discussion of these issues.

Recently  the  working group with the participation of both sides met at the beginning of March, before the March pardon.

In June  will be marked two state holidays - the Day of National Salvation (June 15) and the Armed Forces Day (26 June), on the occasion of which may be issued another decree on pardon. However,  these proposals have not been confirmed by official sources. -06D--