Activist's office targeted in Azerbaijan, Eynulla Fatullayev received compensation

Fatullayev himself refers to the compensation as “a victory for the whole democratic community” and thanks everyone who had been involved in campaigns on his behalf.

ECHR ruling, new movement
This week Fatullayev, below, held a press conference at which he announced that he had received 27,000 euros compensation from the government, in accordance with the European Court of Human Rights ruling of April 2010.

Since his release in May 2011, he has reportedly founded a new movement, ‘In the Interests of Human Rights’, which will focus on public relations, law, and political prisoners in Azerbaijan.

Fatullayev also announced plans to hold an international conference on human rights in Baku in November, at which the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe rapporteur for political prisoners, Christopher Strasser, will be present.

Fatullayev also announced that he intends to conduct research in prisons around the country, and has reportedly already received the consent of the management of the Azerbaijani Penitentiary Service.

Free detained blogger!
Last but not least, Fatullayev spoke out on behalf of those who remain detained in Azerbaijan in violation of their right to free expression, including blogger and activist Jabbar Savalan, right. Savalan was sentenced on 4 May 2011 to two and a half years in prison on fabricated drugs charges. This is a further example of the authorities using drug charges for political purposes, as they did in Fatullayev’s own case.

Savalan (below) was among the first cyber activists targeted in connection with a series of pro-democracy protests. He was a member of the opposition Popular Front Party’s (APFP) youth group, and was apparently targeted for using Facebook to call for a “Day of Rage” inspired by protests in the Middle East and North Africa.

Fatullayev has urged the international community to take action for Jabbar Savalan, saying “Do half of what you did for me for Jabbar Savalan and he will be set free.” English PEN calls to take action on behalf of Jabbar Savalan.

Earlier Azerbaijani journalist had sent a letter to English PEN in which he expressed his profound and sincere thanks for all organization’s efforts to liberate him from “torture-chamber of the Azerbaijani authoritarianism”.

NGO’s office demolished despite a court order banning it
Baku authorities have demolished the offices of a prominent rights group in a move that has drawn condemnation from the European Union and international human rights organizations.

The building owned by activist Leyla Yunus, left, and her husband were destroyed by bulldozers on 11 August, the day after she gave an interview to the New York Times newspaper criticizing a “beautification” project in the capital Baku.

The property destroyed is used as an office space by several local NGOs. These include Yunus’ Institute for Peace and Democracy (IPD), the Azerbaijani Campaign to Ban Landmines and the only women’s crisis centre in Baku.

The demolition of the office started despite a court order banning any demolition attempts on the property until a court hearing on 13 September 2011. IPD employee Azad Isazadeh told Amnesty International that construction workers supervised by police officers, started destroying the building without any prior notice, while he was still inside.

Activists not allowed to collect anything
“We were not allowed to collect anything as the workers started demolishing the building and removing furniture and equipment. The only thing I could rescue was my notebook, everything else got destroyed or taken away,” said Azad Isazadeh to Amnesty International.

The EU representation in Baku told Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty that it “deplores” the demolition. It said that the destruction took place while the owner of the building was abroad. It noted that employees of the three organizations did not have the chance to retrieve personal and professional documents and belongings from the premises.

City officials have said all buildings on Shamsi Badalbayli Street in central Baku are being demolished to make way for the construction of a large city park. The project is under the supervision of first lady Mehriban Aliyeva.

Residents complain that the compensation they have been offered by city officials for their property is inadequate to buy apartments elsewhere in the city center. Some said it was only about 25 percent of what their property is worth on the real estate market.

Related articles:

Wrongfully imprisoned Azerbaijani journalist released after four years in jail

Another Azerbaijani Facebook activist jailed for two years

Azeri activist sentenced to 2.5 years in jail, government stifles critics

Azerbaijan: opposition activist and journalist abducted and beaten

Azerbaijan: at least 30 protesters sentenced

Azerbaijan: authorities detain dozens to prevent protests

Human Rights House Azerbaijan closed down by Azerbaijani authorities

Azerbaijan: Free speech activists call on journalist’s release

Fatullayev’s fate – in the hands of the Council of Europe Committee of Ministers

Azerbaijan: Human rights organisations demand to comply with European Court decision

Letters of concern, statements: