09 April 2011, 11:00
EU calls on Azerbaijani authorities to release detainees of opposition rally
The European Union (EU) has issued a statement expressing concern over the situation with fundamental human rights and freedoms in Azerbaijan. The EU urges the authorities of the country to immediately release all those arrested during the opposition protest action on April 2.
The document received by the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent from the EU representative office in Azerbaijan indicates the dispersal of peaceful demonstrations on April 2 in Baku, detention of a large numbers of protesters, who "received their administrative punishments without due legal justification." Journalists were prevented from transmitting information and filming; and four journalists were detained.
Besides, several activists of oppositional parties were arrested before the action or detained in their homes. "For peaceful actions certain persons saw criminal charges," runs the EU statement.
The EU urges the Azerbaijani authorities to guarantee journalists' right to freely practice their profession and provide them with safe working conditions.
Author: Faik Medzhid Source: CK correspondent
