“Freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly have encountered serious setbacks in Azerbaijan. Urgent measures must be taken to uphold these fundamental human rights” said the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Thomas Hammarberg, publishing today observations on the respect of human rights in Azerbaijan, as a follow up to his June 2010 report.

One year after the publication of the report, the Commissioner regrets to note that most of the recommendations he made as regards these areas have not been implemented. In some cases, steps taken by the authorities have even run counter to Azerbaijan’s human rights obligations. “One of my recommendations was to end practices of unjustified or selective criminal prosecution of journalists or critical opinion makers. However, resort to such methods has apparently not abated. Fabricated charges have been used to arrest and silence parliamentary candidates, journalists and members of youth groups. Such intimidation is inconsistent with the principles of a democratic society founded on human rights principles and the rule of law. Measures should be taken to release immediately all persons imprisoned because of views or opinions expressed.” (more...)