In a letter published today and addressed to Azerbaijani Interior Minister Vilayat Eyvazov, Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights Dunja Mijatovic expressed concern over the recent crackdown on environmental protests and arrests of participants in the village of Seyudlu in Azerbaijan's Gadabek region.
The Commissioner wrote that the use of disproportionate force and specialised equipment by the police to suppress riots against protesters was a serious violation of human rights.
She emphasized the importance of law enforcement accountability and training to ensure human rights. Given the peaceful nature of the protests, Mijatović demanded clarification of the legal basis and justification for the dispersal of peaceful protests, as well as compliance with the national protocol on policing.
The Commissioner stressed that the restrictions on access to the village of Soyudlu following the protests "raise serious concerns about the human rights of local residents, including freedom of movement and respect for privacy". She noted that the measures had also severely restricted the legitimate activities of independent journalists, human rights defenders and lawyers.
It requested information on the legal basis for these measures and their compatibility with human rights standards in the exercise of freedom of expression and peaceful assembly, as well as on the rights to participate in public affairs and fair trial guarantees.
