Arrested Azerbaijani rights defender Leyla Yunus nominated for Nobel Peace Award

The Women-Human Rights Defenders’ International Coalition (WHRDIC) has called on the Azerbaijani authorities to release the rights defender Leyla Yunus from prison and put forward her candidacy for the 2015 Nobel Peace Award in 2015.

"Leyla Yunus is one of the most famous women rights defenders in Azerbaijan. She is the founder and chairperson of the Azerbaijani Institute of Peace and Democracy (IPD). Her work includes peace initiatives, projects aimed at protection of political prisoners, women's rights, and the fight against torture and corruption,” says the statement posted on the website of the WHRDIC.

Besides, according to women-rights defenders, Yunus is actively implementing projects aimed at overcoming the hostility and holding the dialogue of Azeris and Armenians. In 2012, together with her colleagues from Armenia, she launched a unique joint Azerbaijani-Armenian website platform for holding the peaceful dialogue.

"I think it is Leyla’s courage that makes her exceptional. Despite her custody, she remains firm on the issue of defending political prisoners’ rights,” said Professor Charlotte Bunch, the head of the Centre for Gender Problems at the Rutgers University.

We add here that on Friday the Nasimi District Court of Baku extended Leyla Yunus’ custody until February 28, 2015.