22:33, 12 January 2007

Azerbaijani human rights activists satisfied with European Court judgment on the oppositionist's case

The Human Rights Centre of Azerbaijan (HRCA) welcomes the judgment of the Chamber of the European Court for Human Rights (ECtHR) dated January 11, 2007, on Application No. 34445/04 of Sardar Dzhalaloglu (Mamedov), a former political prisoner.

"The fact is worth noting that out of over a thousand lodged applications versus Azerbaijan, 7 out of 21 eligibility judgments, and 5 out of 6 decisions were made on the cases of former political prisoners. It illustrates not only special features of the nature of applicants, but also the fact that the Council of Europe is permanently having in view and giving priority to cases of this category of prisoners. It will continue until the country executes its obligation taken 6 years ago to release political prisoners or review their cases in fair trial," the Human Rights Centre of Azerbaijan states in its report.

According to the Federation of Azerbaijani Human Rights Organizations, today, 71 political prisoners remain in places of deprivation of freedom. The cases of 6 more prisoners will be considered for the presence of political motivation after adjudgment.

Author: Zaur Rasulzade, CK correspondent