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The issue of stationing US military bases in the Republic of Azerbaijan came into spotlight after US Defense Secretary Rumsfeld´s one-day visit to Republic of Azerbaijan at mid-August. The US official´s talks with the government of Republic of Azerbaijan have triggered heated discussions on the issue by the Azeri public and mass media and sparked concerns of the Russian Federation and Islamic Republic of Iran. Media around the world, including the USA, have released reports saying that the US intends to deploy forces in the Republic of Azerbaijan. (22 August 2004)

Taliyat Aliyev, the Secretary on Organizational Issues of Republic of Azerbaijan Democratic Party (ADP) has been detained by Prosecutor Administration of Nasimi District on 12 August 2004. He was detained in relation to the scandal at the court trial of seven opposition party leaders, who were arrested just aftermath the disputed presidential elections of last fall. (16 August 2004)

 The heads of the Republic of Azerbaijan Foundation of Democracy Development and Human Rights Protection (AFDHR) Murad and Rena Sadaddinov held a roundtable, where the problems of former members of the Special Police Squad (SPS)  were mulled over.  The SPS members, who were imprisoned due to their alleged involvement in the coup attempt of 1995, raised the difficulties that they faced after their release. (15 August 2004)

Since the beginning of 2004, 11 people have died and 12 injured as result of mine explosion on the front line territories of Republic of Azerbaijan, Interfax reported on Friday. “According to statistics made by the Republic of Azerbaijan National Agency for Mine Action (ANAMA), since September 2001, 36 people have died and 47 injured,” said the ANAMA Press Office. (15 August 2004)

The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) rapporteurs on Republic of Azerbaijan Andreas Gross (Switzerland) and Andreas Herkel (Estonia) visited Baku on August 4-9 to monitor Azerbaijan´s compliance with the commitments made to the CE upon its admission. They are also expected to prepare a report upon completion of their visit to be heard by the CE Monitoring Committee in September. (14 August 2004)

The statement released by the State Department says that eviction of the Mosque community and attempts to the keep the leadership under state control are not justifiable according to international human rights law, or the OSCE principles. (14 August 2004)

The Republic of Azerbaijan Young Lawyers’ Union (AYLU) is a non-governmental and non-profit youth organization, which includes about 150 law students, masters and young practicing lawyers. AYLU targets to reinforce human rights situation through promotion and research of human rights, and conduction of workshops and seminars on legal awareness for civilians.  AYLU intends to start a human rights school in Baku on 9-20 August. (07 August 2004)

Influential international organisation Human Rights Watch issued its nex t report about situation with freedom of press in the Republic of Azerbaijan in a period of presidential elections of 2003 and the period after. “Azerbaijani government should act now to stop the deterioration of press freedom underway since the October presidential elections”, Human Rights Watch said in its 18 pages of report yesterday. (05 August 2004)

The Baku-based human rights organization “Against Violence” Human Rights Center (AVHRC), which primarily monitors the cases of violence, harassment and torture throughout the country, on Friday appealed to Azerbaijan’s law enforcement bodies to find out and punish the perpetrators of the last assaults on two opposition-minded journalists. (31 July 2004)