11:00, 26 June 2009

Bekhbudov: torture on the rise in Azerbaijan

In 2009 in Azerbaijan, as compared with last year, the number of cases when torture was applied to citizens in temporary detention facilities and prisons has increased. This was stated by Elchin Bekhbudov, Chairman of the Azerbaijani Committee against Tortures, at the press conference on June 25, International Day in Support of Torture Victims.

According to Mr Bekhbudov, during six months this year two persons died as a result of torture in jails. In total, the count of torture victims is over 50. The figures in 2008 were 81 victims and 3 casualties of torture. In his opinion, given the current dynamics, last year's statistics will be surpassed by the end of this year. The human rights activist has noted that the number of women, exposed to tortures, is also on the rise.

The International Day in Support of Torture Victims was instituted by the UN General Assembly, and in 1996 Azerbaijan acceded to the UN Convention against Torture.

Author: Faik Medzhid

Source: CK correspondent