Open letter from Azerbaijani political prisoners to the Trump Administration and members of the U.S. Congress:
We, the political prisoners in Azerbaijan, are addressing you to draw your attention to the dire human rights situation in our country.
In recent years, in Azerbaijan, the most authoritarian country in the South Caucasus, human rights have been completely violated, as all independent media and civil society activists, political activists, critical academics, and opposition political leaders have been arrested on unfounded charges. Freedom of the press, freedom of expression, and freedom of assembly are entirely restricted in the country.
Since decisions are made based on political orders, the basic rights of prisoners are not guaranteed in local courts, and the rulings of international courts are not enforced. In addition, the Azerbaijani authorities ignore international appeals, fail to fulfill their obligations regarding human rights, and, on the contrary, are tightening their repressive policies every day. Individuals who defend the rights of political prisoners within the country face pressure. This, in turn, leads to new arrests or forces activists to leave the country.
One of the fundamental principles of the United States’ founding philosophy and a priority of its foreign policy is to defend human freedoms and democratic values around the world. Therefore, by referring to the United States’ experience with political prisoners in Belarus and Venezuela, we urge you to pay attention to the human rights situation in Azerbaijan and to take concrete steps!
Shamshad Agha – journalist
Aynur Elgunesh – journalist
Natig Javadli – journalist
Aysel Umudova – journalist
Aytaj Tapdig – journalist
Ramin Deko (Jabrayilzade) – journalist
Khayala Aghayeva – journalist
Ulviyya Ali (Guliyeva) – journalist
Bahruz Samadov – academic
Tofig Yagublu – politician
Imran Aliyev – journalist
Fatima Movlamli – journalist
Nurlan Libre (Gahramanli) – journalist
Niyameddin Ahmadov – member of the Azerbaijan Popular Front Party, political activist
Ahmad Mukhtarov – journalist
Mammad Mammadzade – civil society activist
Afiyaddin Mammadov – labor rights activist
Rufat Safarov – human rights defender
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