Azerbaijan to set up united prisoners' defence centre

In Azerbaijan, prisoners often become victims of fabricated charges, illegal court judgements and poor treatment by prison administrations. This was stated on December 6 by the participants of the public hearings, organized by the "Public Alliance– Azerbaijan without Political Prisoners". The result of the hearing was the idea to coordinate the efforts of all public committees acting in defence detainees' and convicts' rights.

The "Public Alliance – Azerbaijan without Political Prisoners" (PAAPP) was founded on September 12 by fourteen former "prisoners of conscience" and political prisoners.

The hearing that was organized by the PAAPP at the Media Centre of the Institute for Reporters' Freedom and Safety (IRFS) in Baku was attended by former political prisoners, lawyers, public figures, human rights defenders and experts.

The debaters have stated the absence with the public of comprehensive information about the situation in jails.

As stated by Elshan Gasanov, a former "prisoner of conscience", prison cells are divided into several categories – the so-called "bourgeois", "ordinary" and "black".

Speakers also highlighted non-fulfilment of legislation on prisoners' rights; for example, they are not allowed to call their relatives, subscribe to papers and meet their advocates when they need it.

Ogtai Gyulalyev, a former political prisoner, has reported that the prisoners' rights to foodstuffs supply, safe live, freedom of religion, receive medical help, submit complaints, etc, are violated.

Speakers gave examples of obvious, in their opinion, falsifications of criminal cases.