IPGA called on Azerbaijani authorities to release protesters arrested in March

The International Partnership Group with Azerbaijan (IPGA) has expressed concern about the recent arrests of journalists and activists of social and political organizations, and has urged the authorities to stop persecuting people for realization of the right to freedom of expression.

"March 2013 was a deadly month for the freedom of expression in Azerbaijan – for those who try exercise in the country their right to speak on the issues of public interest, or to criticize the authorities," says a joint statement of the IPGA and several Azerbaijani NGOs.

As noted in the document, on the eve of the presidential election scheduled for October 2013, the civil activity in the country has increased significantly intensified' and protests have grown stronger against corruption and non-combat losses in the army.

However, the protests have caused mass arrests of their participants; sanctions in the form of large fines are applied to them on the basis of the amendments to the law on the freedom of assembly, adopted in November 2012.

The IPGA calls on the Azerbaijani authorities to "immediately and unconditionally" release all those detained or kept in custody in connection with the exercise of their right to the freedom of expression, including the above-mentioned journalists and activists.