APPEAL of The Justice Solidarity Committee to Azerbaijani President Aliyev

Dear Mr. President,

We, the Justice Solidarity Committee, represent a group of dedicated human rights defenders, journalists, and lawyers actively operating in Azerbaijan. With great interest, we have been closely observing the developments unfolding within our nation. We take this opportunity to express our profound appreciation for the extensive reconstruction efforts carried out in the recently liberated territories of our ancestral land, Karabakh, following the expulsion of Armenian invaders.

Amidst acknowledging these commendable efforts, we believe it is our duty to draw your attention to certain pressing matters concerning human rights and freedoms within our country.

Mr. President, it has come to our attention that certain events are transpiring, which have a detrimental impact on our international image. In particular, we are troubled by the apparent superficiality with which both law enforcement agencies and the judicial system have been handling various issues. Regrettably, this approach has resulted in the unwarranted arrests of numerous esteemed public and political figures, journalists, and individuals with religious convictions, all based on seemingly unfounded charges.

These concerning incidents have contributed to the rise of unfavorable reactions both domestically and abroad, and they have also served as a means for hostile forces to advance their malicious intentions. As specific instances, we would like to bring to your attention the cases of the prominent journalist Avaz Zeynalli and journalist Elnur Shukurov, both affiliated with the "Khural" Media Group, who were arrested eleven months ago without solid evidence to substantiate the charges against them. Additionally, the arrest of Professor Gubad Ibad Oglu Bayramov, the esteemed founder and chairman of the Azerbaijan Democracy and Welfare Party, who is also a respected teacher at the London School of Economics (LSE), is a matter of great concern to us. Furthermore, the removal of certain lawyers from the Bar Association has further exacerbated these unpleasant situations.

Mr. President, we earnestly request that you utilize your esteemed powers to prevent the continuation of such distressing circumstances. We call upon you to take decisive actions, including the release of the public and political figures who have been named in our appeal and who are currently unjustly imprisoned.

With the utmost respect and sincere hope for justice and human rights in our nation,

• Novella Jafaroglu
• Saida Gojamanli
• Arzu Abdullayeva
• Mirvari Gahramanli
• Saadat Bananyarli
• Dilara Efendiyeva
• Mehman Aliyev
• Hilal Mammadov
• Sevinj Sadigova
• Malahat Zeynalli