11:50, 4 May 2014

EU is concerned about increased pressure on Azerbaijani activists

Human rights activist Leyla Yunus, director of the Institute for Peace and Democracy, being detained. Baku, April 28, 2014. Screenshot from video taken by Radio Azadlyg, Copyright 2014 RFE/RL.

The European Union (EU) notes with concern the increase of pressure in Azerbaijan on the media and civil society. This was emphasized by the joint statement of Catherine Ashton, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs, and Štefan Füle, EU Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy. The joints statement was released by the EU mission in Baku on May 3.

According to the EU representatives, the steps taken by the authorities of Azerbaijan "are directed against activists who act for the benefit of human rights, rule of law, and fundamental freedoms and people's diplomacy".

"We are concerned about the reports that on April 19, journalist Rauf Mirkadyrov was arrested and that on April 29, prominent human rights defenders Arif Yunus and Leyla Yunus were detained and interrogated," emphasizes the joint statement of the EU officials. Catherine Ashton and Štefan Füle have called on the government of Azerbaijan to comply with its obligations in the field of human rights and its commitments to international organizations.

Author: Faik Medzhid

Source: CK correspondent