HRW criticizes EU for joint projects with Azerbaijan

The European Union (EU) and international organizations prefer not to pay attention to the deterioration of the situation with human rights in Azerbaijan. Meanwhile, they focus on joint projects in the energy sector. This was stated by the international human rights organization "Human Rights Watch" (HRW). Human rights defender Oktai Gyulalyev has noted that human rights should not be sacrificed to issues of geopolitics.

According to the HRW World Report 2017, 24 people prosecuted for criticizing the government, are still kept at the Azerbaijani prisons. In particular, the HRW report mentions Ilgar Mamedov, the leader of the democratic opposition movement "Republican Alternative" (ReAl).

Among other persons sentenced to imprisonment for criticizing the Azerbaijan government, the HRW reports also mentions activist Ilkin Rustamzade, Murad Adilov, a member of the Popular Front Party of Azerbaijan (PFPA), journalist Seimour Khazy, and blogger Abdul Abilov.

The HRW World Report 2017 notes that the rules of law adopted in Azerbaijan in 2014-2015, "made it activities of independent groups almost impossible."

Meanwhile, the European Union "gave the green light to the negotiations on a new partnership agreement with Azerbaijan, without indicating any benchmarks in the field of human rights as a condition for partnership."

"The international organization 'Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative' (EITI) has become an exception. The EITI declined to restore Azerbaijan's full membership in the organization," states the HRW World Report 2017.

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