HRW: human rights situation in Azerbaijan becomes worse

In 2011, the human rights situation in Azerbaijan deteriorated; the government suppressed all forms of protest. This was announced by the annual report on human rights situation in the world, prepared by the International human rights organization "Human Rights Watch" (HRW), which was released on January 22.

The report posted on the official website of the organization, focuses on authorities' gross violation of freedom of assemblies, authorities' failure to permit a single rally in Baku, filing of politically motivated charges against persons criticizing government, persecution of human rights defenders, forced evictions of citizens from their houses under pretext of improvement.

"Azerbaijan wants to improve its international image by holding leadership positions in regional and international forums and by hosting mega-events," said Hugh Williamson, the director of the HRW for Europe and Central Asia.

"However, ensuring the rights of ordinary citizens is at low level, and the authorities must improve this figure," stated Hugh Williamson.

According to the report, the government severely suppressed protests of people in March and April, inspired by the movement of "Arab spring". In the course of those protest actions, hundreds of people, including public figures, journalists, and opposition activists, were detained.

"Fourteen of them were sentenced by unfair trials to up to three years of imprisonment.

Bakhtiyar Gadjiev was sentenced to two years of imprisonment on charges of evading military service, while in fact he was punished for calling for protests through social networks.

According to the report, Jabbar Savalan was sentenced to 2.5 years of imprisonment on "false charges" of drug possession.

"In this March, he posted a criticism of the government in social networks. However, at the end of the year, Savalan was granted a pardon by the President of Azerbaijan and was released from prison," the report has noted.

The report mentions that the Azerbaijani authorities have refused to issue a visa to the PACE Rapporteur on political prisoners and do not allow him entering the country starting from the time of his appointment in March 2009.

"The government should release activists detained on politically motivated charges and cooperate fully with the Rapporteur of the Council of Europe," the HRW believes.

The Baku Mayoralty establishes parks, gardens, and luxury residential buildings. However, to clear a space for them, the authorities forcibly evict tenants, often without prior notification or at night, in open defiance of human security. Homeowners receive compensation far below market price, and they have little opportunity for legal protection.

In some cases, the authorities demolished houses in violation of judicial precept, as it was during the demolition of the office building of the human rights defender Leila Yunus, who often criticized the government for demolition of houses.

As another example of persecution of human rights defenders, the report mentions the case against Vidadi Iskenderov, the human rights defender, who was sentenced to three years of imprisonment on dubious charges of violating the voting at the parliamentary elections in November 2010.

"Ten years ago, Azerbaijan joined the Council of Europe and undertook a commitment to respect human rights and human dignity protection," continued Hugh Williamson.

"Baku should go a long way to fulfil its international obligations. To begin with, it should ensure liberalization of the media environment, release political activists, and stop the unlawful expropriation of property," stated the representative of the HRW.