U.S. Launches New Initiative To Press For Release Of Political Prisoners, Including Elchin Mammad
Building on its commitment at the Democracy Summit, the Biden Administration on Wednesday announced the launch of a fresh initiative to secure the release of political prisoners, including Azerbaijani Elchin Mammad, TURAN's Washington correspondent reports.
The initiative, called Without Just Cause, seeks to raise international awareness of the plight of political prisoners and their families, and to advocate for the release of all individuals worldwide who are detained unfairly, the State Department said in a release.
"We call on governments worldwide to free those detained for peacefully exercising their human rights," Secretary of State Antony Blinken tweeted.
According to the State Department, political prisoners are held worldwide without just cause, many subject to torture, inhumane conditions, enforced disappearance, and abuse.
The individuals highlighted in this initiative are emblematic of the many political prisoners held by governments in every region of the world.
"Many are subjected to torture, gender-based violence, inhumane conditions, enforced disappearance, or other forms of abuse. Some are held in reprisal for peaceful protest, exposing corruption, or critical reporting. Others are held because of their race, ethnicity, religion, language, gender identity, or for perceived or real LGBTQI+ status or conduct," the Department said.
"Some governments abuse their legal systems to target peaceful protestors or government critics on contrived charges such as “terrorism,” “extremism,” “cybercrimes,” “fake news,” or “hooliganism.” Many are sentenced by courts that lack independence, in trials closed to outside observers, while others are detained without being afforded other applicable legal protections," reads the release.
The Without Just Cause initiative will include diplomatic engagement and public diplomacy in Washington, DC and by U.S. embassies abroad. It reflects input from political prisoner advocates, family members, and nongovernmental organizations.
As part of the initiative, the State Department for now features 16 political prisoners worldwide. Among them is Azerbaijani Elchin Mammad, a journalist and human rights lawyer, according to TURAN.
In March 2020, shortly after he published a report critical of the human rights situation there, Elchin Mammad was arrested and sentenced to four years in prison on alleged charges.
"The justice system should be used to seek justice, not to punish those speaking up for human rights," the Department said. "Elchin Mammad and all other political prisoners should be released immediately and unconditionally."
More about this initiative can be found here: https://www.state.gov/withoutjustcause/
Alex Raufoglu
Washington D.C.
Politics
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On November 26, the Baku Court of Appeals reviewed the appeal of human rights defender Anar Mammadli, who contested the extension of his detention. Mammadli's lawyer, Javad Javadov, stated that Mammadli argued the extension of his pre-trial detention was unfounded and linked the criminal prosecution to his human rights activities, Turan reported.
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On November 26, a group of reserve officers from the Nakhchivan special forces held a protest near the Azerbaijani presidential administration. The protesters participated in the 44-day war and were discharged after sustaining injuries. They claim that the payments they are entitled to have not been provided.
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On November 26, the Baku Court of Appeals heard a complaint regarding the extension of the detention of former diplomat Emin Ibrahimov. During the hearing, the investigator requested that the complaint be rejected, while Ibrahimov's lawyer, Aghil Laidj, pointed out the lack of grounds for keeping Ibrahimov in custody.
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Arrested economist Fazil Gasimov has reportedly faced pressure after protesting the interruption of a phone call with his family on November 16. "The phone call was cut off, and Fazil demanded that the connection be restored. Then, Jalal Alizadeh, a detention center officer, along with his colleagues, forcibly removed Fazil from the phone room in the medical unit of the facility, tearing his jacket and dragging him across the floor before throwing him into a cell.
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