AI condemns arrests of oppositionists in Baku

Mass detentions of opposition leaders and activists during a rally in Baku are a violation of the freedom of peaceful assembly, declares the human rights organization "Amnesty International" (AI). The NGO has called on to release the arrested demonstrators.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on November 17, a march organized by activists of the Popular Front Party of Azerbaijan (PFPA) in Baku was stopped by the police, and more than 50 people were detained. Most of the activists were released by the evening of the same day. On November 19, the court fined and freed eight more people, including Ali Kerimli, the leader of the PFPA. Three participants of the march were arrested for 20 days.

The detention of Azerbaijani opposition leaders and activists on November 17, 2018, as they were attempting to organize a peaceful rally in the capital Baku is a violation of the right to freedom of peaceful assembly, states the AI in its release of November 20, available to the "Caucasian Knot".

According to the AI's sources in Azerbaijan, "the police started to detain individuals as the opposition leaders began to organize a peaceful procession that included laying flowers at the Alley of Martyrs."

"The Azerbaijani authorities must guarantee the right to freedom of peaceful assembly as recognized by the Azerbaijani Constitution and the international human rights treaties that have been ratified by Azerbaijan. The authorities must immediately release the remaining activists who have been placed under 'administrative detention' for their attempt to exercise their right to freedom of peaceful assembly," declares the AI in its release.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on November 21, 2018 at 05:25 pm MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.