The undersigned organizations call for an immediate release of Emin Milli (Abdullayev) Adnan Hajizade from detention, which contradicts Article 5 of the European Convention to which Azerbaijan is a party. We would also like to remind that according to Article 11.1 of the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, “everyone has the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and to freedom of association with others.”

Background information:

On 8 July, at approximately 8:00 p.m. Baku time, Emin Milli (Abdullayev) and Adnan Hajizade were sitting at a table in a restaurant along with several other young adults, discussing the activity of youth organizations related to the internet, when two people that looked like sportsmen came up to them, insulted them, and demanded that they stop talking about politics. Then they attacked Emin Milli and Adnan Hajizade, causing physical injuries. The restaurant staff and other youth interfered to save them from attackers.

Adnan Hajizade and Emin Milli sustained several injuries. Adnan Hajizade’s nose was broken and he sustained bruising on his face, around his eyes and on other parts of his body. It is said that Emin Milli sustained several injuries to his face, and possibly a crack in one of the bones in his foot.

Victims Emin Milli and Adnan Hajizade appealed to police immediately and asked for medical assistance at the police department, however they were not provided with any assistance. Emin Milli and Adnan Hajizade demanded a lawyer and their lawyers went to the police department to represent the youth, however police did not let allow the lawyers to see Emin Milli and Adnan Hajizade. Although they appealed to police as victims, police detained Emin Milli and Adnan Hajizade under article 221.2.1 (hooliganism) of the Criminal Code after five hours of interrogation and freed the attackers.   

Police have not provided any official information about the detention of Emin Milli and Adnan Hajizade, and for 17 hours the youth were deprived of the opportunity to meet with their lawyers.  Although the incident occurred at 8 p.m. on 8 July, the lawyers only finally met with Emin Milli and Adnan Hajizade at 3 p.m. on 9 July.

According to the latest information, the judge has approved a 2-month preliminary; the lawyer has a right to appeal against it.

We urge the Azerbaijani authorities to immediately release the detained youth activists Emin Milli (Abdullayev) and Adnan Hajizade and to investigate the beatings of them.

Sincerely,

The Norwegian Human Rights House (on behalf of the following NGOs):

– The Human Rights House Foundation

The Rafto Foundation, Bergen

Human Rights House Azerbaijan

The Belarusian Human Rights House in exile in Vilnius (Lithuania)

Human Rights House Sarajevo (on behalf of the following NGOs):

–   Association of Female Citizens “Renaissance”
–   Foundation CURE
–   Helsinki Committee for Human Rights in Bosnia and Herzegovina
–   Regional Co-ordinator for Youth Groups
–   Serb Civic Council – Movement for Equality – The Council of the Sarajevo Canton
–   Woman and Society Centre

Human Rights House Skopje (on behalf of the following NGOs):

– Association for Democratic Initiatives (ADI)
– The First Children’s Embassy in the World – “Megjashi”
– Helsinki Committee for Human Rights of the Republic of Macedonia
– Macedonian Women’s Rights Centre (MWRC) – Shelter Centre
– Polio Plus – Movement Against Disability

Armenian Helsinki Association

Human Rights Center, Georgia

Polish Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights 

 

Copies have been sent to:

  • Delegation of the European Commission to Armenia, Georgia and Azerbaijan  
  • Office of the Commissioner for Human Rights in the Council of Europe  
  • UN Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights Defenders 
  • The OSCE/ODIHR, Human Rights Focal Point, Warsaw   
  • The Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs 
  • The Human Rights House Network