At a briefing with US State Department Spokesperson Ned Price a journalist asked him about the state of Azerbaijani political prisoner Bakhityar Hajiyev.
“When the Secretary engages with his Azerbaijani counterpart, they discuss a broad range of issues. They of course discuss Nagorno‑Karabakh, they discuss regional issues, but there is also a broader conversation on human rights and the emphasis that we place on human rights and the notion that by strengthening human rights in any country, including in Azerbaijan, that in turn strengthens the bilateral relationship we have,” Price said.
The journalist reminded that Hajiyev’s health is worsening. Is the United States Government willing to hold those responsible accountable if something happens to him in jail? He is on hunger strike for almost 40 days now.
“When someone is imprisoned, when someone is imprisoned in this case for political reasons, it is incumbent on the authorities to provide medical care, to provide for the humanitarian needs of this individual, and of course, just as we said in other contexts, those who are holding him are ultimately responsible for his welfare and his well-being,” Price added.
