The Human Rights House Foundation and the Swedish Helsinki Committee have urged the Nakhchivanian authorities in a letter to recall all charges against the secretary of the election commission, Nushabe Gafarly. Gafarly, was arrested after refusing to sign protocols on the November 30 elections, which were marked by numerous irregularities. After being pressured she eventually did sign the protocols. In spite of this she is being prosecuted now. Read the protest letter here (16-DES-05) .
The Human Rights House Foundation and the Swedish Helsinki Committee condemn the detention of and charges against Nushabe Gafarly by the Nakhchivanian authorities. The secretary of the election commission of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic could be sentenced to two-five years imprisonment reports Novella Jafaroghlu representing the Association for Protection of Women´s Rights after D. Aliyeva. The sentence came after Mrs. Gafarly refused to sign protocols confirming the victory of the Nakhchivan supreme assembly chairman Vasif Talibov after the November 6 parliamentary elections. Gafarly refused to sign the protocols due to numerous irregularities at the polling stations. Nushaba Gafarly, who represents the Popular Front party (PFPA) was recommended to sign the protocols in order not to expose her life to danger. According to Jafaroghlu, Nushaba Gafarly was arrested “on false charges” 30th of November after signing the protocols.
Gafarly attended one of the panel at the international conference “Challenges for Human rights defenders in Azerbaijan” organised by the Human Rights House Network, the OSCE Baku and the Swedish Helsinki Committee the 7th of September 2005. Mrs. Gafarly also took part in the regional training of human rights defenders held by UN special representative for Human Rights Defenders, Mrs. Hina Jilani and International Service for Human Rights from Geneva
The Human Rights House Foundation and the Swedish Helsinki Committee have learned that Nushabe Gafarly has been released from prison and placed under house arrest the 2nd of December. We urge the Nakhchivanian authorities to recall the house arrest and charges against the secretary of the election commission. Gafarly´ s observation of the falsification is in accordance with the reports given by other international and national observers.
