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PACE side event: A year of attempts to hide dire human rights record
On 21 June, at a side event to the Parliamentary Assembly of Council of Europe, former political prisoners and civil society representatives talked about the situation in Azerbaijan. It showed a different picture to the one the authorities are portraying to the world.
Don’t let Formula 1 sportswash Azerbaijan’s human rights abuses
This weekend, Azerbaijan hosts its first grand prix in Baku. The Formula 1 race is another example of the Azerbaijani government’s attempt to “sportswash” its image, after 2015’s Olympic spin-off, the European Games.
Khadija Ismayl and freedom of expression in Azerbaijan
Today, Azerbaijani journalist Khadija Ismayil turned 40. After 1, 5 years in prison, on May 25, the Baku Supreme Court released her. Nevertheless, the court released her on 3, 5 year probation with 2 year ban on professional activities. The international community claimed she was a political prisoner and criminal prosecution against her was connected with her journalistic activities.
UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention concludes visit to Azerbaijan
The United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention made a visit to Azerbaijan between 16 and 25 May.
Khadija Ismayil released on probation
On 25 May 2016, the Supreme Court of Azerbaijan upheld Khadija Ismayil’s appeal and released her on probation. HRHN welcomes her release, and calls for the Azerbaijani authorities to fully rehabilitate her rights.
Azerbaijan: Independent Media Under Unprecedented Attack
On World Press Freedom Day, 3 May 2016, Sports for Rights and 18 international NGOs condemn the Azerbaijani authorities’ relentless crackdown on independent media and other critical voices.
Khadija Ismayil awarded on World Press Freedom Day
Khadija Ismayil is an independent investigative journalist in Azerbaijan. Since 5 December 2014, she is behind bars in her country, solely due to her reporting.
Sports for Rights urges performers to cancel Baku shows
In June, Azerbaijan will host the Formula One European Grand Prix, despite the on-going crackdown on human rights. The Sport for Rights campaign, of which Human Rights House Network is member, urges Pharell Williams, Enrique Iglesias and Chris Brown to cancel their proposed performances connected to the event.
Intigam Aliyev released
HRHN welcomes the release of Initgam Aliyev on 28 March 2016, following the Azerbaijan supreme court’s decision to convert his seven-and-a-half-year prison sentence to a five-year suspended term.