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The United Nations Human Rights Committee reviewed Azerbaijan on 20-21 October. The previous review in 2009 highlighted the abusive use of criminal charges to detain journalists and activists, as well as legislation on defamation. Azerbaijan has for years upheld systematic repression of civil society including, arbitrary detention, restrictive laws against organisations, and the violation of human rights.

The letter from civil society organisations addresses board members of the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI), urging them to “suspend Azerbaijan from participation in EITI, due to continuous breach of the initiative’s requirements for fostering an enabling environment for civil society.”

The referendum in Azerbaijan comes during only the latest wave of detentions and arrests against activists and journalists by the Azerbaijani authorities, and amid international criticism of the process and political environment during the electoral period, as well as of the amendments themselves.

Following recent visits to Azerbaijan by the United Nations Special Rapporteur on human rights defenders and the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, the Human Rights House Foundation calls on Azerbaijan and the international community to ensure these visits lead to positive changes in the country.

On the opening day of the the 33rd UN Human Rights Council session in Geneva, Human Rights House Foundation gave a statement to the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, raising concerns about Azerbaijan’s ongoing use of arbitrary detention to silence its critics.

On the 4th of September, several Azerbaijani civil society leaders, including former political prisoners that have worked closely with HRHF, appealed to Council of Europe Secretary General Thorbjørn Jagland to refer proposed constitutional changes to the Venice Commission.

18 August 2016. Less than six weeks ahead of a constitutional referendum, the Azerbaijani authorities have unleashed a new wave of repression to silence critical voices. The undersigned members of the Sport for Rights coalition condemn this renewed crackdown, and call on the Azerbaijani authorities to take immediate steps to improve the human rights situation in the country, starting with the release of political prisoners.

Several Azerbaijani activists including; Natig Jafarli, Elshan Gasimov, Togrul Ismayiıov, Bakhtiyar Hajiyev, and Elgiz Qahreman have been arrested in the run up to a national referendum on expanding presidential powers. HRHF calls for the authorities in Azerbaijan to cease intimidating opposition and dissent during the referendum period. Additionally, we encourage the Council of Europe to hold Azerbaijan to its standards by guaranteeing the right to participate in public life during the referendum period, including the rights to freedom of expression and assembly.

On the 12 of July at the UN, high-level representatives from States, civil society and the private sector discussed the human rights situation in the world. There was also a first televised live debate with the candidates for Secretary General at the United Nations, which was open for questions from the public.