Azerbaijani advocate Shakhla Gumbatova awarded for human rights defence

Shakhla Gumbatova, whose powers as a lawyer are suspended in Azerbaijan, has become a laureate of the US Department of State's International Award "Women of Courage".

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on November 28, 2019, the presidium of the Azerbaijani Bar Association decided to suspend Shakhla Gumbatova's powers. She treated this decision as severe and unfair. Activists suggested that they want to remove Gumbatova from protecting the rights of people persecuted for political reasons.

Shakhla Gumbatova became one of the 12 laureates of the "Women of Courage" Award for her achievements in defending human rights, says the statement of the US Embassy in Azerbaijan that the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent received on March 5.

The US State Department is presenting its International "Women of Courage" Award for the 14th time already. It marks the merits of women from different countries, who have demonstrated outstanding courage and leadership in the struggle for peace, justice, human rights, gender equality and empowerment for women.

Shakhla Gumbatova began her advocacy in 2013, and became "one of the few lawyers to defend those facing imprisonment for exercising their fundamental freedoms," says the statement. "She boldly defended rights defenders, journalists, bloggers, youth activists, members of the political opposition and others. Her example has inspired other lawyers to defend their clients in political cases and represent the interests of LGBT people," says the statement.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on March 6, 2020 at 04:33 am MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.