FB Digest@VoxPOPULI

 

“The reason for the recent detentions might be that there is a preparation for a new war, and in this case, the regime do not want any dissenting opinions to appear even on social networks, meaning they do not want any views contrary to regime propaganda…”

(Lack of) Human Rights and Freedoms

On August 28, the Baku Court of Appeals rejected the appeal against the Khatai District Court’s decision to impose pre-trial detention on Anar Mammadli, head of the Election Monitoring and Democracy Studies Center (EMDS).

Jailed activist Akif Gurbanov Nominated for the Václav Havel Human Rights Prize. On August 27, the selection committee for the Václav Havel Human Rights Prize, awarded for the defense of human rights and the impact of civil society in Europe and beyond, announced the list of nominees for the 2024 award. The committee, composed of independent human rights defenders and chaired by the President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), Theodoros Roussopoulos, met in Prague and decided to include the following three nominees: Azerbaijani activist Akif Gurbanov, Venezuelan María Corina Machado, and Georgian representative Babutsa Pataraya. According to the PACE press service, Gurbanov is a human rights defender, political activist, and active member of Azerbaijan’s civil society. He is a co-founder of the Institute for Democratic Initiatives and the Third Republic Platform. In March 2024, during a wave of arrests of journalists and activists in the country, Gurbanov was detained.

Political prisoner Bahruz Samadov‘s grandmother, Zibeyda Osmanova, held a protest in front of the Azerbaijan Republic Ombudsman’s office. She demanded an end to the isolation of and torture against Samadov and requested to meet with him. Samadov recently stated at the Baku Court of Appeals that he is being held in solitary confinement, with no access to TV, books, or proper seating during certain hours of the day. On August 21, political researcher and peace activist Bahruz Samadov was arrested by the State Security Service. The court issued a four-month pre-trial detention order under Article 274 of the Criminal Code (treason). Samadov denies these charges, claiming he is being punished for his pro-peace stance. Bahruz Samadov is a contributor to “OC Media” and the “Baku Research Institute,” known for his critical writings on the Azerbaijani government and his peaceful stance on the Karabakh conflict. Samadov’s appeal against his pre-trial detention was reviewed, but it was not granted. During the court session, Samadov stated that he is a prisoner of peace and is innocent. He mentioned that he is being held in solitary confinement, without access to a TV or books, and is not allowed to sit down during certain hours of the day. Additionally, he is only permitted to make phone calls to his grandmother.

Azerbaijan’s land borders have been closed for 4 years and 6 months. This period amounts to exactly 1,643 days, or 54 months. After the first case of coronavirus infection was detected in Azerbaijan, a special quarantine regime was implemented on February 28, 2020. According to the government’s decision, the country’s land borders remain closed to this day.

Political prisoner Mohyaddin Orujov has been experiencing severe pain in his right kidney. He was arrested in December 2023 on charges under Article 234.4.3 of the Criminal Code (illegal circulation of large quantities of narcotics), a charge he believes to be fabricated. Prior to this, in October, he was detained by the 32nd police station and sentenced to 30 days of administrative detention. During his detention at the 32nd police station, he was beaten and then handcuffed to a chair by the toilet door, where he was held for 24 hours without being allowed to use the toilet. Since then, he has developed kidney problems. He has frequently complained of this pain since being held at the Shuvalan investigative detention center, and his condition has now become unbearable, with severe pain in his right kidney. Despite contacting the prison doctor, he was told that the doctor only visits the facility once a month and would only be able to see and treat Mohyaddin during his next visit, whenever that might be.

Witnesses are currently being questioned in the trial of Afiyaddin Mammadov, the chairman of the “Workers’ Desk” Trade Union Confederation and a public activist. Workers’ rights defender Mammadov was arrested amid the mass repression leading up to COP29. According to a report by Meydan TV from the Baku Court of Grave Crimes, during the session held on August 27, witness Ramil Bayramov was questioned. The case files indicate that on September 20, 2023, Afiyaddin Mammadov had a dispute with a person named Safar Huseynov, during which Huseynov was injured with a knife. It is claimed that Ramil Bayramov was present at the scene and witnessed the stabbing. However, in his testimony, Ramil Bayramov stated that he did not see the stabbing incident: “That day, as I was passing by, I saw a crowd of people gathered, and there was noise. I left the area without seeing anyone being stabbed.”

During the week, another young researcher was detained in Baku. Javid Agha, who was leaving the country to study abroad, was detained at the aiport. Although Agha was later released he was told that he was banned from leaving the country as he is a wittness in the criminal case against Bahruz Samadov. Agha, also advocated for peace during the Second Karabakh War.

The President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), Theodoros Russopoulos, has responded to the statement issued by Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He described Baku’s decision to declare PACE deputies who voted against Azerbaijan as “persona non grata” as a misguided move. This was stated on PACE’s official page on August 27. The PACE President expressed concern that the Ministry’s statement sends a troubling signal that complicates Azerbaijan’s current position within the Council of Europe. He emphasized that member states have committed to upholding democratic standards, and that blacklisting those who vote according to their conscience can only lead to negative consequences.

Activist and former political prisoner Giyas Ibrahim said that for Azerbaijani activists trying to leave the country now could be more dangerous. They may have imposed exit bans on everyone known for anti-war and opposition views, said Ibrahim. Ibrahim shared his views on current repressions in a social media post: “If you are concerned about persecution, try to stay hidden within the country for a while. There is no other option at the moment. Do not attempt to leave the country. It might not have any effect—though this is unlikely—however, attempting to leave might cause them to react more fearfully and become more paranoid.” Ibrahim argued that the reason for the recent detentions might be preparation for a new war, and in this case, the regime do not want any dissenting opinions to appear even on social networks, meaning they do not want any views contrary to regime propaganda. “They know that, unlike before, writing anti-war opinions will not provoke public criticism. The only measures left to prevent counter-propaganda are force and imprisonment. Regarding arrests, another but less likely possibility is that they do not want opposing views to appear on social networks during COP29. However, as we see, the targets are those known for peace and “no-war” views, and recently, the state’s propagandists and public manipulators have started promoting war glorification. Therefore, I suspect that this issue is more likely related to the new military campaign, or it could be connected with both factors.”