Gubad Ibadoglu celebrated his 52nd birthday in prison and caused a resonance in the world...

Bakı/12.09.23/Turan: On September 12th, the imprisoned Azerbaijani oppositionist and economist, Gubad Ibadoglu, marks his 52nd birthday behind bars, sparking international outrage and calls for his immediate release. A worldwide campaign for his freedom is gaining momentum, with actions in defense of his rights slated to take place in numerous cities around the globe. This resonant advocacy was announced by his brother, Galib Bayramov.

The global demonstrations, organized under the rallying cry "52 cities, 52 actions," are set to be a potent show of solidarity for Ibadoglu. The first of these actions has already unfolded in Dili, the capital of East Timor, as September 12th dawned in that part of the world.

Tuesday will witness an outpouring of support in various cities across the United States, Germany, Belgium, France, Turkey, Poland, Great Britain, Hungary, Denmark, Norway, the Netherlands, Georgia, Sweden, and beyond. These demonstrations will feature the participation of prominent figures from human rights organizations, public spheres, and journalism.

Simultaneously, the global "Publish What You Pay" (PWYP) campaign, advocating for transparency and accountability in the mining industry, has issued a resounding call for Ibadoglu's immediate release. Gubad Ibadoglu, a member of the PWYP coalition in Azerbaijan,  who was arrested 50 days ago.

In a strongly worded statement, PWYP implored for Ibadoglu's swift release and urged companies and international organizations with ties to Azerbaijan to leverage their influence to secure humane treatment and his immediate freedom.

The statement read, "We demand his immediate release. We call on companies and international organizations that have relations with Azerbaijan to use their leverage for humane treatment and the immediate release of Gubad Ibadoglu."

PWYP also made a fervent appeal to its colleagues, members, and partners worldwide to express solidarity with Ibadoglu, sign the statement, and escalate pressure on the Azerbaijani government to ensure his release.

The campaign's signature drive is open until September 25th, after which it will be forwarded to the relevant authorities in Azerbaijan, as well as international financial institutions and companies operating within the country.

Human rights activist Fuad Hasanov, speaking on these developments in the program "Difficult Question," underscored the significance of PWYP as a global movement advocating for an open and responsible mining industry. Comprising over 1,000 member organizations and 51 national coalitions, PWYP's strength lies in its capacity to coordinate actions both on the national and global fronts.

Hasanov expressed optimism that PWYP's campaign would compel the Azerbaijani government to provide a transparent assessment of Gubad Ibadoglu's health and facilitate the adoption of a just and equitable decision regarding his case. The movement's resolute push for accountability in the mining sector has now converged with the impassioned plea for Ibadoglu's freedom, creating a powerful global movement calling for justice.