Baku/28.02.22/ “The situation with torture in Azerbaijan remains depressing. In general, the situation with human rights and fundamental freedoms is deteriorating every day,” the report of the Center for Research against Torture on the situation with human rights and cases of torture in January-February 2022. The study points to the widespread practice of violating political freedoms, property rights, to a fair trial, not to be subjected to torture and discrimination.
Law enforcement agencies do not investigate the facts of blackmailing public figures and activists in social networks. The courts are completely dependent on the executive branch, in politically motivated cases, they execute orders. “The have-nots face social injustice. Many have been unreasonably denied disability status.
At the same time, even war veterans experience difficulties in determining the degree of disability and receiving social benefits. There is no effective activity in this area due to red tape, bribery, corruption and bureaucracy of state bodies,” the document says. The study also cites concrete facts of gross violation of human rights.
In particular, opposition politician Tofig Yagublu was detained at a protest action. Despite his severe beating and torture, the prosecutor’s office refused to open a criminal case on this fact.
Public activist Fuad Ismailov was unreasonably detained by the Nizami district police department, subjected to severe torture, illegally arrested for 30 days by the Nizami district court under Article 535 of the Code of Administrative Offenses (deliberate disobedience to the lawful demand of the police).
The document also says that after the deportation from Germany to Azerbaijan, PFPA members Mutallim Orujov and Jafar Mirzoyev, as well as activists Malik Rzayev and Punkhan Karimli, were arrested.
Ali Aliyev, leader of the Citizen and Development party, was also groundlessly arrested on charges of defamation.
However, the Azerbaijani government rejects allegations of persecution of citizens for political reasons. -03B06-
