To: Mr. José Manuel Barroso, President of the European Commission
Mr. Herman Van Rompuy, President of the European Council
Copy to: Delegation of the European Union to Azerbaijan
President Barroso and President Van Rompuy,
In advance of your meeting with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev in Brussels, we would like to share our concerns regarding the human rights situation in Azerbaijan, and to ask you to support us in addressing these problems.
The continuing EU- Azerbaijan cooperation on energy security is doubtless at the top of the agenda. The Southern Gas Corridor is a very important issue, not only for Azerbaijan but for the whole region. But Azerbaijan’s deteriorating human rights situation is of equal and immediate concern.
The Azerbaijani government is failing to fulfill its obligations to guarantee freedom of expression undertaken before the European Union (as part of the EU-Azerbaijan European Neighborhood Policy Action Plan), OSCE, the Council of Europe, and the UN Security Council.
A constitutional amendment introduced in 2009 removed a two-term limit for holding the presidency thus giving the Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev the opportunity to rule the country for life. The Venice Commission, the Council of Europe’s advisory body on constitutional issues, warned that the elimination of presidential term limits in Azerbaijan could be considered “a serious setback on Azerbaijan’s road to a consolidated democracy”.
This month, the ruling party of Azerbaijannominated incumbent President Ilham Aliyev to run for a controversial third term in October.
The current legislative framework does not allow for free and fair elections. C.f. although the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights of OSCE repeatedly expressed a lack of confidence in election commissions, the government has not taken any positive step in this direction.
With just months to go to a presidential election in October, the authorities are clearly more determined than ever to intimidate critics of the regime, in particular online. The environment for freedom of expression is declining by the day as journalists, bloggers and opposition activists are subjected to mounting pressure that includes increasingly repressive laws, arrests, physical attacks and smear campaigns.
Aliyev’s regime bears responsibility for the atmosphere of impunity in which physical and moral attacks against journalists encroaching on powerful interests – including, in two cases, murder – are commonly carried out as a way to silence critical voices. In fact, having written this letter we ourselves can be targeted by President Aliyev. Mr.Aliyev proved it with his intolerant attitude towards his critics on June 7.
There has been a rise in the number of people arrested for their political views or activity, particularly for expressing critical opinions and protesting against civic problems. Without giving an extended list of all unlawfully arrested persons, we should note that arrests of Republican Alternative (REAL) Movement chairman and potential presidential candidate Ilgar Mammadov; seven NIDA Movement activists; Azad Genclik (Free Youth) Movement member Ilkin Rustemzadeh; journalist Tofig Yagublu; and lawyer Gurban Mammadov are clear examples of that trend.
Seven journalists and two human rights defenders are currently behind bars in Azerbaijan. The arrested persons have been and continue to be subjected to brutal treatment. For instance, the spleen of Zaur Gurbanli, arrested activist NIDA Civic Movement, has dangerously swollen and he also suffers from thalassemia, yet the government does not take any step to release him.
The existing draconian penalties for criminal defamation and insult have been extended to online content, including Azerbaijan’s vibrant social networks, and public demonstrations. The permitted length of “administrative” detention is now much greater for many offences, i.e. violation of the rules of organizing and conducting rallies.
Although Azerbaijan ratified the United Nations Convention Against Corruption[1], thereby undertaking the obligation to take measures to enhance transparency in its public administration. Instead of toeing the line here, the government adopted a series of amendments to the Law on the Right to Obtain Information, the Law on the State Registration of Legal Entities, and the Law on Commercial Secrets. The amendments permit commercial entities to keep their registration information secret, including information about their ownership and structure. These amendments contradict international standards for freedom of information and will make it more difficult for journalists to investigate and report on corruption.
Without going into much detail here—as we believe you are well aware of human rights abuses in our country—we would like to conclude that the Azerbaijani government falls short on its human rights obligations undertaken before the European Union (as part of the EU-Azerbaijan European Neighborhood Policy Action Plan).
If the European Union (EU) is a community of values, then its global duty should be to focus on promoting human rights and fundamental freedoms. We therefore call on the EU to use the human rights based approach vis-à-vis Azerbaijan.
An energy security partnership between the EU and Azerbaijan is valuable and productive, but it should be rooted in mutual respect for human rights. If the EU were to sign the Memorandum with Azerbaijan vis-a-vis the Southern Gas Corridor project it should include the human rights environment as a necessary condition of the partnership.
The revolutions in the Arab and Middle Eastern states, many of which are energy and resource rich, demonstrated the illusory nature of stability. If the security of energy rich countries is important to the West, then it is necessary to build security from the bottom up, and that means starting with respect for basic human rights.
The imprisoned activists and murdered journalists, as well as the persons with violated rights cannot speak for themselves. Therefore we are asking you to demand an end to this injustice on their behalf.
Human rights issues are rarely resolved domestically. The May 12 2011 resolution of the European Parliament on Azerbaijan’s human rights record, as well the numerous statements from the EU and EC officials addressed some of our concerns. We kindly ask you that in your meeting with Mr Aliyev, you emphasize the need to protect and support human rights in Azerbaijan.
Thank you very much for considering this appeal.
Sincerely,
1. Intigam Aliyev, Legal Education Society
2. Arzu Abdullayeva, Azerbaijan National Committee of Helsinki Citizens’ Assembly
3. Gubad Ibadoglu, PublicInitiativesCenter
4. Zohrab Ismayil, Public Association for Assistance to Free Economy
5. Vidadi Isgandarli, “Support to Protection of Democracy” Public Union
6. Irada Javadova, “Enlightenment for Human Rights” Public Union
7. Anar Mammadli, Elections Monitoring and DemocracyEducationCenter
8. Leyla Yunus, Institute for Peace and Democracy
9. Mirali Huseynov, “Democracy Learning” Public Union
10. Rasul Jafarov, Human Rights Club
11. Zaur Akbar, “Youth Club” Public Union
12. Arastun Orujlu, “East-West” ResearchCenter
13. Bakhtiyar Hajiyev, Positive Change Youth Movement
14. Matanat Azizova, Women’s Crisis Center
15. Elchin Abdullayev, Democratic Institutions and Human Rights Public Union
16. Shahla Ismayil, Women’s Association for Rational Development
17. Samir Kazimli, Alliance for the Defense of Political Freedom
18. Azer Mehtiyev, Center of Support of Economic Initiatives
19. Sevinj Mammadova, “Feminist Women’s Movement” Public Union
20. Ogtay Gulaliyev, Society for Democratic Reforms
21. Mirvari Gahramanli, Oil Workers’ Rights Protection Committee
22. Mehriban Vazir, Center for Political Culture of Azerbaijani Women Public Union
23. Leyla Aliyeva, National and InternationalStudiesCenter
24. Aygun Panjaliyeva, N!DA Civic Movement
25. Rovshan Hajibayli, Democratic JournalismSchool
26. Elshan Hasanov, “Azerbaijan without Political Prisoners” Public Alliance
27. Khalid Kazimov, Regional Human Rights and MediaCenter
28. Ulvi Hasanli, Free Youth Organization
29. Alovsat Aliyev, Azerbaijan Migration Center Public Union
30. Elchin Namazov, Institute for the Defense of Rights and Freedoms
31. Fuad Hasanov, Democracy Monitor
32. Gulnara Akhundova, Azerbaijan Media Center
33. Emin Huseynov, Institute for Reporters’ Freedom and Safety
34. Khadija İsmayilova, investigative journalist
35. Ziya Guliyev, LegalInitiativesCenter
36. Mehman Aliyev, Turan News Agency
37. Hafiz Hasanov, Center for Law and Development
38. Ilgar Huseynli, Social Strategically Research and Analytical Investigations Public Union
39. Samir Isayev, Legal Think Tank
40. Sevil Isayeva, Ecolex-Azerbaijan Environmental LawCenter
41. Yashar Aghazadeh, Committee for the Protection of Human Rights and Freedoms
42. Nasrulla Nurullayev, Care of Azerbaijani Elder Peoples
43. Rashid Hajili, Media Rights Institute
44. Khalid Bagirov, lawyer
45. Asimə Nəsirli, hüquqşünas
46. Emin Milli, Meydan TV
47. Yalchin Imanov, lawyer
48. Javad Javadov, lawyer
49. Firudin Allahverdi, composer
50. Elmir Mirzoev, composer
Contacts for information:
Rasul Jafarov, Human Rights Club
E-mail: resul.j@gmail.com
Tel: +994 50 586 35 37
Skype: rasul.jafarov
Gulnara Akhunodva, Azerbaijan Media Center
E-mail: gln.akhundova@gmail.com
Tel:+994 50 204 04 14
Skype: Gulnara.Akhundova
Emin Huseynov, Institute for Reporters’ Freedom and Safety
E-mail: emin@irfs.org
Tel: +944 50 398 48 38
Skype: irfs.az
[1] UNCAC Signature and Ratification Status as of July 12, 2012. http://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/treaties/CAC/signatories.html