The Jails of Azerbaijan
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The Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders
1 2014 OSCE HUMAN DIMENSION IMPLEMENTATION MEETING September 22 - October 3, 2014 Written contribution of The International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) and The World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT) Within the framework of their joint programme, The Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders Under Working session 3: Fundamental freedoms I (continued), including freedom of peaceful assembly and association September 23, 2014 2 The International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) and the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT), within the framework of their joint programme, the Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders, wish to draw the attention of the Organisation for the Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) on the ongoing threats and obstacles faced by human rights defenders in OSCE Participating States. In 2013 and 2014, human rights defenders in Eastern Europe and Central Asia continued to operate in a difficult, and sometimes hostile environment. The situation particularly deteriorated in Azerbaijan, Hungary, Kyrgyzstan, and the Russian Federation, where the civil society has continued to face acts of reprisals by the authorities and where domestic legal frameworks and practices governing the exercise of the right to freedoms of assembly and association were drastically restricted. In other countries, human rights defenders have continued to be subjected to arbitrary detention following blatantly unfair trials, in particular in Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan, or to lengthy pre-trial detention, -
The Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders
1 2014 OSCE HUMAN DIMENSION IMPLEMENTATION MEETING September 22 - October 3, 2014 Written contribution of The International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) and The World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT) Within the framework of their joint programme, The Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders Under Working session 3: Fundamental freedoms I (continued), including freedom of peaceful assembly and association September 23, 2014 2 The International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) and the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT), within the framework of their joint programme, the Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders, wish to draw the attention of the Organisation for the Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) on the ongoing threats and obstacles faced by human rights defenders in OSCE Participating States. In 2013 and 2014, human rights defenders in Eastern Europe and Central Asia continued to operate in a difficult, and sometimes hostile environment. The situation particularly deteriorated in Azerbaijan, Hungary, Kyrgyzstan, and the Russian Federation, where the civil society has continued to face acts of reprisals by the authorities and where domestic legal frameworks and practices governing the exercise of the right to freedoms of assembly and association were drastically restricted. In other countries, human rights defenders have continued to be subjected to arbitrary detention following blatantly unfair trials, in particular in Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan, or to lengthy pre-trial detention, -
A Nnual Report
Annual Report 2013 Content The Norwegian Helsinki Committee Established in 1977 2 The Norwegian Helsinki Committee 3 Perspectives The Norwegian Helsinki Committee (NHC) is a non-governmental organisation that works to 4 The NHC Secretariat promote respect for human rights, nationally and internationally. Its work is based on the conviction that documentation and active promotion of human rights by civil society is 5 Organisation needed for states to secure human rights, at home and in other countries. 6 Activities in 2013 7 The Russian Federation NHC bases its work on international human rights instruments adopted by the United 11 Belarus Nations, the Council of Europe, the Organisation of Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), including the 1975 Helsinki Final Act. 13 Ukraine 15 South Caucasus The main areas of focus for the NHC are the countries of Europe, North America and 20 Central Asia Central Asia. The NHC works irrespective of ideology or political system in these countries and maintains political neutrality. 23 Western Balkans 27 Turkey 28 Hungary How we work 29 Natalya Estemirova Documentation Centre Human rights monitoring and reporting 30 Human rights in Norway Through monitoring and reporting on problematic human rights situations in specific countries, the NHC sheds light on violations of human rights. The NHC places particular 35 Co-operation and international processes emphasis on civil and political rights, including the fundamental freedoms of expression, 37 EEA Grants belief, association and assembly. On-site research and close co-operation with key civil 38 Information society actors are our main working methods. The NHC has expertise in election observation 38 Finances and has sent numerous observer missions to elections over the last two decades. -
SITUATION of HUMAN RIGHTS in BELARUS in 2014
Human Rights Centre “Viasna” SITUATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS in BELARUS in 2014 REVIEW-CHRONICLE Minsk, 2015 SITUATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS IN BELARUS in 2014 REVIEW-CHRONICLE Author and compiler: Tatsiana Reviaka Editor and author of the foreword: Valiantsin Stefanovich The edition was prepared on the basis of reviews of human rights violations in Belarus published every month in 2014. Each of the monthly reviews includes an analysis of the most important events infl uencing the observance of human rights and outlines the most eloquent and characteristic facts of human rights abuses registered over the described period. The review was prepared on the basis of personal appeals of victims of human rights abuses and the facts which were either registered by human rights activists or reported by open informational sources. The book features photos from the archive of the Human Rights Center “Viasna”, as well as from publications on the websites of Radio Free Europe/ Radio Liberty Belarus service, the Nasha Niva newspaper, tv.lrytas.lt, baj.by, gazetaby.com, and taken by Franak Viachorka and Siarhei Hudzilin. Human Rights Situation in 2014: Trends and Evaluation The situation of human rights during 2014 remained consistently poor with a tendency to deterioration at the end of the year. Human rights violations were of both systemic and systematic nature: basic civil and political rights were extremely restricted, there were no systemic changes in the fi eld of human rights (at the legislative level and (or) at the level of practices). The only positive development during the year was the early release of Ales Bialiatski, Chairman of the Human Rights Centre “Viasna” and Vice-President of the International Federation for Human Rights. -
Submission to the Committee Against Torture in Relation to Its Examination of the Fourth Periodic Report of Azerbaijan
Submission to the Committee against Torture in relation to its examination of the fourth periodic Report of Azerbaijan 56th Session of the Committee against Torture 26 October 2015 1 I. Introduction Already in its last Concluding Observations on Azerbaijan in 2009, the Committee against Torture (CAT) recommended that Azerbaijan fully guarantee and protect the right of freedom of opinion and expression of human rights defenders (HRD)1 and introduce legal mechanisms and practical measures to that effect because it was concerned about the harassment of HRD as well as the lack of due process in the criminal convictions of individuals who expressed their opinions.2 Unfortunately, the situation has dramatically worsened since 2009. Starting in 2012, the crackdown of civil society organisations (CSOs) and HRD has intensified. Dozens of political activists and critical journalists have been harassed by restrictive legislation and arbitrary detained and charged with fabricated accusations such as fraud, illegal business, or hooliganism. In unfair trials HRD have been sentenced to long-term imprisonment to punish them for their human rights activities and for raising their voice against a corrupt government. At the same time, Azerbaijan is barely cooperating with international organizations. The United Nations Subcommittee on the Prevention of Torture (SPT) had to suspend its visit to Azerbaijan in September 2014 as its delegation was prevented from visiting several places and was barred from completing its work despite repeated attempts.3 Moreover, Azerbaijan has a total of 126 judgments by the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) that are awaiting execution. The majority of those judgments are related to the harassment of CSO and HRD. -
Submission to the Committee Against Torture in Relation to Its Examination of the Fourth Periodic Report of Azerbaijan
Submission to the Committee against Torture in relation to its examination of the fourth periodic Report of Azerbaijan 56th Session of the Committee against Torture 26 October 2015 1 I. Introduction Already in its last Concluding Observations on Azerbaijan in 2009, the Committee against Torture (CAT) recommended that Azerbaijan fully guarantee and protect the right of freedom of opinion and expression of human rights defenders (HRD)1 and introduce legal mechanisms and practical measures to that effect because it was concerned about the harassment of HRD as well as the lack of due process in the criminal convictions of individuals who expressed their opinions.2 Unfortunately, the situation has dramatically worsened since 2009. Starting in 2012, the crackdown of civil society organisations (CSOs) and HRD has intensified. Dozens of political activists and critical journalists have been harassed by restrictive legislation and arbitrary detained and charged with fabricated accusations such as fraud, illegal business, or hooliganism. In unfair trials HRD have been sentenced to long-term imprisonment to punish them for their human rights activities and for raising their voice against a corrupt government. At the same time, Azerbaijan is barely cooperating with international organizations. The United Nations Subcommittee on the Prevention of Torture (SPT) had to suspend its visit to Azerbaijan in September 2014 as its delegation was prevented from visiting several places and was barred from completing its work despite repeated attempts.3 Moreover, Azerbaijan has a total of 126 judgments by the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) that are awaiting execution. The majority of those judgments are related to the harassment of CSO and HRD. -
The Right to Insult in International Law
THE RIGHT TO INSULT IN INTERNATIONAL LAW Amal Clooney and Philippa Webb* ABSTRACT States all over the world are enacting new laws that criminalize insults, and using existing insult laws with renewed vigour. In this article, we examine state practice, treaty provisions, and case law on insulting speech. We conclude that insulting speech is currently insufficiently protected under international law and regulatedby confused case law and commentary. We explain that the three principal internationaltreaties that regulate speech provide conflicting guidance on the right to insult in internationallaw, and the treaty provisions have been interpreted in inconsistent ways by international courts and United Nations bodies. We conclude by recommending that internationallaw should recognize a "rightto insult"and, drawingon US practice under the FirstAmendment, we propose eight recommendations to guide consideration of insulting speech in internationallaw. These recommendations would promote coherence in international legal standards and offer greater protection to freedom of speech. * Amal Clooney is a barrister at Doughty Street Chambers and a Visiting Professor at Columbia Law School. Philippa Webb is a barrister at 20 Essex Street Chambers and Reader (Associate Professor) in Public International Law at King's College London. We thank Matthew Nelson, Anna Bonini, Katarzyna Lasinska, Raphaelle Rafin, Tiffany Chan, Deborah Tang, Ollie Persey, and Mirka Fries for excellent research assistance. We are grateful to Professor Guglielmo Verdirame, Professor Michael Posner, Professor Vince Blasi, and Nani Jansen for comments. COL UMBIA HUMAN RIGHTS LAW RE VIE W [48.2 INTRODUCTION Freedom of speech is under attack. States all over the world are enacting new laws that criminalize insults and are using existing insult laws with renewed vigour. -
Final-Signatory List-Democracy Letter-23-06-2020.Xlsx
Signatories by Surname Name Affiliation Country Davood Moradian General Director, Afghan Institute for Strategic Studies Afghanistan Rexhep Meidani Former President of Albania Albania Juela Hamati President, European Democracy Youth Network Albania Nassera Dutour President, Federation Against Enforced Disappearances (FEMED) Algeria Fatiha Serour United Nations Deputy Special Representative for Somalia; Co-founder, Justice Impact Algeria Rafael Marques de MoraisFounder, Maka Angola Angola Laura Alonso Former Member of Chamber of Deputies; Former Executive Director, Poder Argentina Susana Malcorra Former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Argentina; Former Chef de Cabinet to the Argentina Patricia Bullrich Former Minister of Security of Argentina Argentina Mauricio Macri Former President of Argentina Argentina Beatriz Sarlo Journalist Argentina Gerardo Bongiovanni President, Fundacion Libertad Argentina Liliana De Riz Professor, Centro para la Apertura y el Desarrollo Argentina Flavia Freidenberg Professor, the Institute of Legal Research of the National Autonomous University of Argentina Santiago Cantón Secretary of Human Rights for the Province of Buenos Aires Argentina Haykuhi Harutyunyan Chairperson, Corruption Prevention Commission Armenia Gulnara Shahinian Founder and Chair, Democracy Today Armenia Tom Gerald Daly Director, Democratic Decay & Renewal (DEM-DEC) Australia Michael Danby Former Member of Parliament; Chair, the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee Australia Gareth Evans Former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Australia and -
Azerbaijan: the Repression Games
AZERBAIJAN: THE REPRESSION GAMES THE VOICES YOU WON’T HEAR AT THE FIRST EUROPEAN GAMES 1 The first ever European Games are due to take place in (Above) Flame Towers in downtown Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, on 12-28 June 2015. This Baku © Amnesty International multi-sport event will involve around 6,000 athletes and features a new state-of-the-art stadium costing some US$640 million. The games will give a huge boost to the government’s campaign to portray Azerbaijan as a progressive and politically stable rising economic Key Country Facts power. According to the President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, the hosting of the European Games ‘will enable Azerbaijan to assert itself again Head of State throughout Europe as a strong, growing and a modern state.’2 President Ilham Aliyev But behind the image trumpeted by the government of a forward-looking, Head of Government modern nation is a state where criticism of the authorities is routinely Artur Rasizadze and increasingly met with repression. Journalists, political activists and human rights defenders who dare to challenge the government face Population trumped up charges, unfair trials and lengthy prison sentences. 9,583,200 In recent years, the Azerbaijani authorities have mounted an Area unprecedented clampdown on independent voices within the country. 86,600 km2 They have done so quietly and incrementally with the result that their actions have largely escaped consequences. The effects, however, are unmistakable. When Amnesty International visited the country in March 2015, there was almost no evidence of independent civil society activities and dissenting voices have been effectively muzzled. -
1 the Responsibility of a Politician: Leyla Yunus and the Heirs Of
The Responsibility of a Politician: Leyla Yunus and the Heirs of Andrei Sakharov Thomas de Waal October 11, 2014 Dear Colleague, In 1989 during some of the most tumultuous days of perestroika, Andrei Sakharov stood up in the Soviet Union's first popularly elected parliament, the Congress of People's Deputies, and called for the end of the monopoly on power of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union. Sakharov was an influential voice, but also a lonely one, speaking amidst a cacophony of old Communist Party nomenklatura officials on the one hand and aspiring nationalists on the other. At the same time, in the Soviet Union's non-Russian republics, a few brave activists were inspired by the courage of Sakharov and others. They stepped forward and spoke out about the rights of their republics to win independence and achieve democracy. These activists were strongest in the three Baltic republics and the three republics of the South Caucasus: Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia. In Azerbaijan, the struggle was especially difficult. The Communist Party apparatus clung tenaciously to power. The Popular Front of Azerbaijan had a radical nationalist wing that was ready to use violence. All the while the mutually suicidal conflict with Armenia over the disputed region of Nagorny Karabakh was heating up. A small band of academics and intellectuals in the city of Baku were the first to talk about democracy, the first to warn about the dangers of "provocations" and the first to speak up about the defence of the Armenian minority still living in Azerbaijan. They combined courage with intellectual insight about where their republic was heading. -
Organization Signatory Country Other Affiliation
Signatory Organization Country Other Affiliation General Director, Afghan Institute for Strategic Studies Davood Moradian Afghanistan President, European Democracy Youth Network Juela Hamati Albania Former President of Albania Rexhep Meidani Albania United Nations Deputy Special Representative for Somalia Fatiha Serour Algeria Co-founder, Justice Impact Lab; Member, the Africa Group for Justice and Accountability President, Federation Against Enforced Disappearances (FEMED) Nassera Dutour Algeria Founder, Maka Angola Rafael Marques de Morais Angola Professor, the Institute of Legal Research of the National Autonomous UniversityFlavia of Mexico Freidenberg (UNAM) Argentina Secretary of Human Rights for the Province of Buenos Aires Santiago Cantón Argentina Former Director for Latin America and the Caribbean for the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs (NDI) Journalist Beatriz Sarlo Argentina Former President of Argentina Mauricio Macri Argentina Former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Argentina Susana Malcorra Argentina Former Chef de Cabinet to the Executive Office at the United Nations Former Minister of Security of Argentina Patricia Bullrich Argentina Former Minister of Labour, Employment and Human Resources of Argentina President, Fundacion Libertad Gerardo Bongiovanni Argentina Former Member of Chamber of Deputies Laura Alonso Argentina Former Executive Director, Poder Ciudadano; Former Head of Argentine Anti- Corruption Office Professor, Centro para la Apertura y el Desarrollo Liliana De Riz Argentina Founder and -
Int Ccpr Ico Aze 22692 E
1 Human Rights House Network The Human Rights House Network is a community of human rights defenders working for more than 100 independent organisations operating in 16 Human Rights Houses in 13 countries. Empowering, supporting, and protecting human rights defenders, the Network members unite their voices to promote the universal freedoms of assembly, organisation, and expression, and the right to be a human rights defender. The Secretariat (HRHF) – based in Oslo, Geneva, and Brussels – stewards the community, raising awareness internationally, raising concerns at the UN, EU, and international institutions, and coordinating best use and sharing of the knowledge, expertise, influence, and resources within the Network. Contact person for the report Anna Innocenti International Advocacy Officer Human Rights House Foundation (HRHF) Email: [email protected] Tel: +4122 33 22 556 Geneva office Rue de Varembé 1 (5th floor), PO Box 35, 1211 Geneva 20 (Switzerland) Oslo office Menneskerettighetshuset Kirkegata 5, 0153 Oslo (Norway) Brussels office Rue de Trèves 45, 1040 Brussels (Belgium) 2 For human rights defenders in Azerbaijan In 2009, members and partners of the Human Rights House Azerbaijan submitted an NGO report and contributed to the review of Azerbaijan at the Committee on Civil and Political Rights. Rasul Jafarov was one of them, working at the time with the Institute for Reporters’ Freedom and Safety. He was inspired by the work of the Committee to further the defence of human rights in Azerbaijan. Today, Rasul Jafarov is one of the detained human rights defenders in Azerbaijan. In 2011, the Human Rights House Azerbaijan was ordered to cease all activities.