U.S.-Azerbaijan relations must depend on respect for human rights, group says
The Institute for Reporters’ Freedom and Safety is disappointed that more than fifty U.S. politicians have chosen to join the U.S.-Azerbaijan Convention in Baku. The U.S. delegation happens less than two months after the U.S. State Department cataloged a series of human concerns in Azerbaijan
Azeri government removes key clauses from draft defamation bill
The Presidential Administration of Azerbaijan has removed provisions on The Draft Law on Protection from Defamation, which include the repeal of criminal code provisions providing for heavy penalties for defamation and determine the maximum amount of compensation for damage caused by defamation.
Repressive draft bill threatens Azeri civil society
A draft law would criminalize the cooperation of Azeri citizens with any Armenian organization or entity, or their representatives. The Institute for Reporters’ Freedom and Safety believes that the above-mentioned bill would be the most damaging in a series of regressive legislation introduced this year.
Azeri blogger and activist allegedly tortured
Reports say that officials from the Ministry of the Interior tortured blogger and activist Rashad Ramazanov (a.k.a. Hagigat Agaadin) during a custodial interrogation. Police claim to have had found 9 grams of heroin on the blogger when he was detained on 9 May.
Azerbaijan’s Internet defamation bill inhibits free speech, group says
The Institute for Reporters’ Freedom and Safety believes that recent amendments to the criminal code serve the purpose of having a chilling effect on critical bloggers and online activists, thus making citizens less active in the year of election.
Draft defamation bill threatens online critics with unpaid work in Azerbaijan
A draft bill proposed to the Parliament of Azerbaijan would provide for harsher criminal defamation penalties. If passed, the bill would punish ‘libel’ and ‘insult’ online with 480 hours of unpaid work.
UN member states urged to hold Azerbaijan accountable for human rights abuses
The member states of the United Nations should hold Azerbaijan to account during its Universal Periodic Review on 30 April 2013 for its failure to protect basic human rights, says the International Partnership Group on Azerbaijan.
Authorities shut down pro-democracy university’s office
The office of Free Thought University (AFU) was raided and closed on 10 April. AFU’s mission is to provide an environment where youth can get together freely, develop their knowledge, acquire democratic values and share their experience
Rights groups condemn NGO inspections in Russia
NGOs in Russia have been subjected to inspections apparently aimed at determining whether they comply with legislation. The Civic Solidarity Platform appeals to the international community to speak out against the new attempt to intimidate these groups.
Groups condemn persecution of activists and journalists in Azerbaijan
The International Partnership Group for Azerbaijan, along with local NGOs, condemn the persecution of nine journalists, protesters and human rights defenders for exercising their right to freedom of expression and information in Azerbaijan in recent weeks.
Nine-year sentence for Azeri editor politically-motivated, group says
Avaz Zeynalli was sentenced for bribery, extortion and tax evasion on 12 March. The Institute for Reporters’ Freedom and Safety believes his sentencing is politically-motivated.
Azeri reporter assaulted while investigating land dispute
Rashad Rustamov was beaten by a village municipality chief and six other men while covering a land dispute in the Dashkesen region on 2 March.
Azeri police shut down public policy workshop, harass organisers
Police detained two activists as they were about to begin a skills-building workshop in Khachmaz. The incident follows the introduction of a new bill that would tighten control over NGO activity in Azerbaijan
International community urged to hold Azerbaijan accountable
Following the arrest of over 70 peaceful demonstrators in Ismayilli, a partnership group is calling on the international community to hold Azerbaijan to the commitments it has taken before the Council of Europe and the UN to uphold freedom of expression.
Draft bill could restrict NGO activity in Azerbaijan
A draft bill currently before parliament proposes that non-governmental organisations be fined or have property confiscated should they lack the proper documentation to receive funding.
Council of Europe urged to ensure respect for human rights in Azerbaijan
The Civic Solidarity Platform and the International Partnership Group for Azerbaijan (IPGA) condemn the harsh response by the Azerbaijani authorities to recent protests in the country, and call on the Council of Europe to ensure Azerbaijan respects its human rights obligations as a member state.