The human rights activists Saida Gojamanli, Novella Jafaroglu, right, and Saadat Benenyarli conducted a press-conference on the results of their trip to Strasburg, where they participated in PACE spring session. According to Jafaroglu, throughout their stay in Strasbourg the human rights defenders held discussions about the situation on human rights, freedom of speech, press freedom as well as pre-election situation in Azerbaijan. “We are not for a PACE special co-rapporteur on political prisoners in Azerbaijan,” said Jafaroglu. (19-APR-08)

Written by Shahla Ismailova / HRH Azerbaijan on the basis of information from the Monitoring Group of Human Rights Organizations, IRFS, Yeni Musavat, photos by Shahla Ismailova
 
In Strasbourg the human rights also met with Gianni Buquicchio – Secretary of Venice Commission, Thomas Hammerberg – Council of Europe´s Human Rights Commissioner, Petya Nesterova – European Committee against Tortures, Andreas Herkel and Yevgeniya Jivkova – co-rapporteurs on Azerbaijan, as well as members of “AGO” group.

Saida-Gojamaly-3The human rights defender Saida Gojamanly (right) talked about the decision adopted by PACE on Armenia and said that this is a message to Azerbaijan. “Azerbaijan should take steps toward the resolution of existing problems by the June session. If ill prisoners and imprisoned journalists are not released by that date, the issue to appoint a special co-rapporteur on political prisoners in Azerbaijan might be discussed,” she said. She added that during meetings discussions took place about “Azadlig” newspaper journalist Agil Khalil.