On 9 September, representatives from the international human rights community came together to issue a joint press statement, expressing their concern for the treatment of independent journalists, political activists, and human rights defenders in Azerbaijan. They also called for free and fair elections, due to take place on 6 November. (23-SEP-05)  

The press statement, delivered by Human Rights House Foundation Executive Director Maria Dahle at the International Press Club in central Baku, highlighted the increase in the number of arrests of opposition activists and journalists.

Aserbajdsjanbilde9 200.jpg-Freedom from fear is a precondition for free and fair elections
Citing recent attacks on Azeri human rights workers and their families, reported to be perpetrated by both independent individuals and those associated with the authorities, the statement called for the Azeri government to guarantee freedom from violence for those working in and associated with the protection of human rights. ‘Freedom from fear of such attacks is a precondition for free and fair elections to take place’, the joint statement said.

Above left: Heavily armed and very brutal police forces break up the spontaneous protests in Baku against the rigged Presidential elections of October 2003. Several hundred were arrested, many of whm suffered torture during interrogation. Many were injured and at least one person was killed during the demonstrations.  

Statement unanimously adopted
 The statement was adopted by the Human Rights House Network in Azerbaijan, the Russian Federation, Belarus, Poland, Norway, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, England, Kenya and Uganda, the Swedish Helsinki Committee and the Human Rights Defenders Office of the International Service for Human Rights. The press conference took place prior to the second day of a conference about human rights defence in the Caucasus, which also featured a workshop for representatives of human rights non-governmental organisations in the region. 

-Transparency and full monitor access also musts for the elections  
The Human Rights House network, which also gathered in Baku to discuss future joint projects, recognised the Azeri authorities’ attempts to maintain stability in the country, but emphasised the need for human rights not to be compromised. Recent discussions concerning election monitoring between the Azeri government and human rights organisations was applauded, but the network emphasised the necessity of ensuring a safe environment for all political parties and candidates, and those associated with them. They called for elections to be carried out in accordance with Azerbaijan’s Council of Europe obligations, stressing the need for transparency and for election monitors to be granted full access to voting stations.

-Let us register now, and then work freely
The statement also stressed the need for clear, efficient and fair registration procedures for all non-governmental organisations, and called for all domestic NGOs to be allowed to monitor the elections without fear of intimidation. The international human rights community also appealed to the media, asking them to report responsibly and objectively, and encouraging them to inform the public about the parliamentary process, thereby helping to create an environment in which voters’ decisions could be made freely. Azerbaijan’s 2003 presidential election were marred by violence, and threats to fundamental rights including freddom of assembly and free expression have deteriorated considerably since. The right to a fair trial has also been jeapordised. The November 2005 elections will be the first parliamentary elections since the adoption of amendments to the constitution in 2002.

Elmar Several attacks on journalists, the media and freedom of expression
Recent attacks on free expression in general and those working in the field of human rights defense in particular include the 30 August attack on Ramin Rzayev, the brother of journalist Mohammed Rzayev, who writes for opposition daily Azadlig. The attack took place in the centre of Nakhitchevan, in the southwestern Azeri territory between Armenia and Iran. The journalist has suffered several attacks over the last few years, and was kidnapped in 2004. Other attacks on journalists include weekly Monitor journalist Akrep Hasanov. In March 2005, Monitor founder and editor Elmar Huseynov (above right) was murdered. 

Demonstrasjon MD 23 200.JPGThousands attend pro-democracy rally
On 10 September, thousands took to the streets of Baku to demand free and fair elections, many of them sporting orange t-shirts, alluding to the peaceful protests which saw Ukraine’s opposition party brought to power in last winter. The peaceful protest took place in Victory Square, outside Baku’s city centre. Other international human rights organisations called for Azeri officials to protect journalists and observe calls for free and fair elections, including Reporters sans Frontieres, ARTICLE 19, and OSCE. Photo: Maria Dahle

Sudden appreciation of manat could signal instability
The media organisation the Institute for War and Peace Reporting reported the rise of the street value of the manat against the dollar on 22 September. Although the head of the National Bank of Azerbaijan linked the rise in the currency to a small group of dealers, there is some concern that this fluctuation could signal a more serious instability in the country in the run-up to the elections.