US, EU and OSCE call on Baku to release Leyla Yunus

The US, EU and OSCE have welcomed the release of political scientist Arif Yunus from custody in Azerbaijan, and expect a similar action in relation of his wife Leyla Yunus and other activists kept in prisons.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on November 12 the Baku Court of Appeal released the Azeri political scientist Arif Yunus from custody in connection with his health problems.

Today, the US Embassy in Baku has issued a statement, made on November 12 by US Secretary of State John Kerry on the occasion of Arif's release from custody.

"The United States views today's decision by the Baku Court of Appeals to transfer peace activist and historian Arif Yunus from prison to house arrest on humanitarian grounds as a positive step. We hope the Azerbaijani government will give similar consideration to other prisoners reportedly facing severe health challenges," said Mr Kerry.

In her turn, Isabel Santos, the Chair of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly's Committee on Democracy, Human Rights and Humanitarian Questions, today welcomed the release of imprisoned Azerbaijani rights activist Arif Yunus, ordered by the Baku Court of Appeals due to his deteriorating health; at the same time she stressed the need for liberation of his wife Leyla Yunus.

"Today’s release of Arif Yunus is a rare but welcome piece of positive news in terms of the treatment of human rights defenders in Azerbaijan. I once again call on the Azerbaijani authorities to release Arif's brave wife Leyla, who remains behind bars despite poor health," said Ms Santos.

Full text of the article is available on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’.