Azerbaijani human rights activists state worsening of human rights situation

The Monitoring Group of Human Rights Organizations of Azerbaijan (MGHROA) has summed up its 2008. "The elapsing 2008 wasn't varicoloured from the viewpoint of ensuring human rights and won't be remembered for any significant positive events," Novella Dzhafaroglu, chairperson of the Society in Defence of Women's Rights named after Dilyara Alieva, said today in the press conference, as the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent reports.

As she said, the situation with political rights and, in particular, with the freedom of speech and press has become even worse.

Saida Godzhamanly, leader of the Bureau on Human Rights and Compliance with Law, has noted that the problems inherited from 2007 have never been resolved, but new ones added. She reminded that 4 journalists are kept in prison.

"The freedom of assembly is restricted and attempts are made to stop broadcasting in local frequencies of radio stations Liberty, Voice of America and BBC," Ms Godzhamanly has stated.

According to the lists of the MGHROA, the country still has 27 political prisoners, the human rights activist has added. As she said, the situation with economic rights of citizens is no better. Thus, the immunity of one's property is not guaranteed in the country.