Azerbaijani authorities continue suppressing the political opposition and show a harsh pressure in response to peaceful meetings, violating the right to freedom of opinion and peaceful assembly. Amnesty International, the human rights international organization mentioned in the announcement.
“The violent arrests, torture and other manifestations of ill-treatment against the peaceful protesters by the Azerbaijani police must stop. The authorities must immediately and unconditionally release all the detainees for implementing their right of freedom of peaceful gatherings and expressing opinions, efficiently investigate all the cases of using unnecessary or excessive force on the streets by the police, as well as allegations of torture and other ill-treatment of detainees, hold suspects accountable”, mentioned on the website of the organization.
Reacting on the news that Tofig Yagublu, an Azerbaijani opposition politician, was re-arrested today after being arbitrarily detained and severely beaten by police on 1 December, Natalia Nozadze, Amnesty International’s Researcher on South Caucasus, said:
“This latest detention of Tofig Yagublu represents little more than a state-sanctioned attack on government critics and basic freedoms in Azerbaijan. It sends a chilling message that those who dare to protest will face arrest – and may suffer beatings.
“The authorities are using the Covid-19 pandemic as a pretext to trample on the rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly. They must only introduce restrictions that are necessary, proportionate and that do not arbitrarily restrict the rights of Azerbaijani people.
