Azerbaijani activists claim importance of European Parliament's resolution on Afghan Mukhtarly's case

In the resolution of the European Parliament on the case of Azerbaijani journalist Afghan Mukhtarly kidnapped in Tbilisi, MEPs gave an objective assessment of the situation with human rights in Azerbaijan. This was reported by Elshan Gasanov. According to Anar Mamedli, disregard of the European Parliament's resolution creates a base for introduction of sanctions against Baku. Intigam Aliev believes that the resolution make the country's authorities to face a difficult choice between carrying out reforms and continuing pressure on activists.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on June 15, the European Parliament adopted a resolution calling on the Georgian authorities to promptly investigate the kidnapping of the Azerbaijani journalist in Tbilisi and the Azerbaijani authorities to release him.

The European Parliament has also demanded to release other persons who were arrested in Azerbaijan for the exercise of their fundamental rights and freedoms, including freedom of expression.

According to Elshan Gasanov, the leader of the Centre for Monitoring Political Prisoners of Azerbaijan, it is important that the resolution was adopted during the negotiations on a new EU-Azerbaijan partnership agreement.

Kati, a member of the European Parliament from the Netherlands, believes that the resolution will not have a special impact on Azerbaijan, but Georgia will be seriously affected.

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