The Voice of Mirza Xazar

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Minister of Internal Affairs

AZ 1001, 7 H.Hajiyev

Republic of Azerbaijan

Fax: (99412) 492 45 90

 

 

 

 

Oslo, 11. July 2009

 

The Human Rights House Foundation, the Rafto Foundation, Norway, The Human Rights House Azerbaijan, the Human Rights House Sarajevo, the Human Rights House Skopje, The Belarusian Human Rights House in exile, the Armenian Helsinki Association and the Human Rights Center Georgia condemn the unlawful detention and call for an immediate release of Emin Milli (Abdullayev), Coordinator of Alumni Network (AN) Youth Organization and leader of ANTV Online TV, and one of OL Youth Organization’s coordinators, well-known video-blogger Adnan Hajizade. According to the information received by the Human Rights House Azerbaijan, Emin Milli (Abdullayev) and Adnan Hajizade were detained on 8 July 2009.

 

The Human Rights House Foundation and ++… call for an immediate release of Emin Milli (Abdullayev) Adnan Hajizade from detention, which contradicts Article 5 of the European Convention to which Azerbaijan is a party. We would also like to remind that according to Article 11.1 of the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, "everyone has the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and to freedom of association with others."

 

 

Background information:

On 8 July, at approximately 8:00 p.m. Baku time, Emin Milli (Abdullayev) and Adnan Hajizade were sitting at a table in a restaurant along with several other young adults, discussing the activity of youth organizations related to the internet, when two people that looked like sportsmen came up to them, insulted them, and demanded that they stop talking about politics. Then they attacked Emin Milli and Adnan Hajizade, causing physical injuries. The restaurant staff and other youth interfered to save them from attackers.

 

Adnan Hajizade and Emin Milli sustained several injuries. Adnan Hajizade’s nose was broken and he sustained bruising on his face, around his eyes and on other parts of his body. It is said that Emin Milli sustained several injuries to his face, and possibly a crack in one of the bones in his foot.

 

Victims Emin Milli and Adnan Hajizade appealed to police immediately and asked for medical assistance at the police department, however they were not provided with any assistance. Emin Milli and Adnan Hajizade demanded a lawyer and their lawyers went to the police department to represent the youth, however police did not let allow the lawyers to see Emin Milli and Adnan Hajizade. Although they appealed to police as victims, police detained Emin Milli and Adnan Hajizade under article 221.2.1 (hooliganism) of the Criminal Code after five hours of interrogation and freed the attackers.

 

Police have not provided any official information about the detention of Emin Milli and Adnan Hajizade, and for 17 hours the youth were deprived of the opportunity to meet with their lawyers. Although the incident occurred at 8 p.m. on 8 July, the lawyers only finally met with Emin Milli and Adnan Hajizade at 3 p.m. on 9 July.

 

According to the latest information, the judge has approved a 2-month preliminary; the lawyer has a right to appeal against it.

 

We urge the Azerbaijani authorities to immediately release the detained youth activists Emin Milli (Abdullayev) and Adnan Hajizade and to investigate the beatings of them.

 

 

Sincerely,

 

The Norwegian Human Rights House (on behalf of the following NGOs):

- The Human Rights House Foundation

 

The Rafto Foundation, Bergen

 

Human Rights House Azerbaijan

 

The Belarusian Human Rights House in exile in Vilnius (Lithuania)

 

Human Rights House Sarajevo (on behalf of the following NGOs):

- Association of Female Citizens "Renaissance"

- Foundation CURE

- Helsinki Committee for Human Rights in Bosnia and Herzegovina

- Regional Co-ordinator for Youth Groups

- Serb Civic Council - Movement for Equality - The Council of the Sarajevo Canton

- Woman and Society Centre

 

 

Human Rights House Skopje (on behalf of the following NGOs):

- Association for Democratic Initiatives (ADI)

- The First Children’s Embassy in the World – "Megjashi"

- Helsinki Committee for Human Rights of the Republic of Macedonia

- Macedonian Women’s Rights Centre (MWRC) - Shelter Centre

- Polio Plus – Movement Against Disability

 

 

Armenian Helsinki Association

Human Rights Center, Georgia

 

 

Copies have been sent to:

 

* Delegation of the European Commission to Armenia, Georgia and Azerbaijan
*
* Office of the Commissioner for Human Rights in the Council of Europe
*
* UN Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights Defenders
*
* The OSCE/ODIHR, Human Rights Focal Point, Warsaw
*
* The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Azerbaijan
*
* The Human Rights House Network

 

With warm regards,

Fuad Hasanov
Director, Democracy Monitor

 

ARTICLE 19 calls on the Government of Azerbaijan to immediately drop
the politically-motivated charges of hooliganism against two
journalists, Emin Milli and Adnan Hajizade, who are currently being
held in pre-trial detention.

Milli, who works for ANTV Online, and Hajizade, a video blogger, were
detained on 8 July 2009, after they reported being assaulted in a Baku
restaurant to police. They were allegedly attacked in a restaurant by
two individuals who demanded that they stop discussing politics; Milli
and Hajizade had been sitting with a group of young people, discussing
the activities of their youth organisations. When Milli and Hajizade
appealed to police at the Sabail District Police Department and
requested medical assistance, they were instead detained under charges
of “hooliganism” (under Article 221.2.1 of the Azerbaijani
Criminal Code). On 10 July, the Sabail District Court ordered Milli
and Hajizade to be detained for two months in pre-trial detention.

ARTICLE 19 is concerned that these events are another measure by the
Azerbaijani authorities to silence independent and opposition
journalists.

This is not the first time the Azerbaijani authorities have used
criminal charges, such as “hooliganism” to intimidate journalists
in cases considered to be politically motivated. In November 2007, the
editor-in-chief of opposition newspaper Azadliq, Ganimat Zahid, was
arrested and sentenced to four years in prison in March 2008. A
similar charge was used in the case of Yeni Musavat columnist Mahal
Ismayiloglu, who was convicted on 1 July 2009 and received a two-year
suspended sentence.

“It is unacceptable that these two men, who were subjected to an
unprovoked attack, should now face criminal charges,” comments Dr
Agnès Callamard, ARTICLE 19 Executive Director. “The authorities
are persecuting the victims, rather than the perpetrators, in a manner
which looks entirely politically motivated.”

Milli and Hajizade’s detention happens against a backdrop of other
disturbing actions by the Azerbaijani authorities, which have had a
negative impact on freedom of expression in the country. For example,
on 10 May 2009, police used physical force against four journalists
who were covering events related to the annual Flower Holiday, as well
as beating members of the public and detaining approximately 50
demonstrators. In addition, the Azerbaijani authorities have yet to
disclose the findings of their investigation into the killing of 13
people at the State Oil Academy in Baku on 30 April 2009. Journalists
attempting to investigate these killings were prevented by authorities
from accessing information.

The Government of Azerbaijan has ratified the International Covenant
on Civil and Political Rights and the European Convention on Human
Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, and ARTICLE 19 calls on the
authorities to respect its commitments under international law. We
also request the authorities to immediately release Emin Milli and
Adnan Hajizade without charge, and to thoroughly investigate and
prosecute those responsible for assaulting them.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DECLARATION

 

 

From: Dalga (Wave) Youth Movement (IFLRY Candidate Member)

 

 

To: International Liberal Youth Organizations

 

 

 

 

On behalf of Dalga (Wave) Youth Movement, we appeal to all youth organizations acting in the worldwide and notify that we are the friends of freedom, liberalism and protectors of the democracy, freedom of speech, human rights and pluralism of ideas. During our five years’ activity we always supported the formation of free youth and development of free media. We fought against the authoritarian regime in Azerbaijan government. We fought against the breach of human rights, strangling of freedom of the press, increased corruption. We are planning to continue this in future.

 

 

 

Recently Parviz Azimov, the head of South office of Dalga (Wave) Youth Movement, the correspondent of the newspaper “ The South News” and the IV year student of Lankaran State University was expelled from the university because of his article written in the newspapers “South News” and “Alma” (Dalga Youth Movement’s ), as well as in Qaynar.info information portal. As a reason of expelling, it was mentioned that he is breaking the discipline rules in the university.

 

 

 

So, according to the previously prepared scenario, Parviz Azimov was called to the yard of the university by another student and he was bitten by that student. Hence the student gave an explanation to the Dean against Parviz Azimov and as a result Parviz Azimov was expelled from university with false accusation. Though the document about his expelling was written on March 5, the document was delivered to Parviz on March 13, 2009 only. And the copy of this document was sent to Lankaran Military Registration and Enlistment Office. This fact proves once more that his expelling was prepared previously.

 

 

 

Later the student given the false explanation against Parviz, repented and informed that he had written the explanation under pressure.

 

 

 

But, the authority of the University did not pay attention to this and did not change his decision.

 

 

 

On behalf of Dalga (Wave) Youth Movement we have sent official request to the Ministry of Education, the University Ombudsman, President’s Office, the Ministry of Youth and Sports, but the problem is still unsolved. We have sent request to the Court as well. Onwards, we are marching in support of Parviz’s rights and enlighten this fact in press daily.

 

 

 

We should note that analogical subversion activities are occurred against free thoughtful people frequently. So, two years ago the chief editor of “Azadlig” was held guilty in alleged hooliganism, his brother, the correspondent of the “Azadlig” Mirza Sakit was condemned in alleged drug using, the chief editor of the newspapers “Gundalik Azerbaycan” ( The Daily Azerbijan) and “Realniy Azerbaycan” ( The Real Azerbaijan) Eynulla Fatullayev was considered to be guilty in alleged treason and were sentenced to imprisonment. These actions are against media freedom and freedom of speech. Azerbaijan government is ignoring the demands of International Organizations about stopping repressions again media freedom and freedom of speech.

 

 

May 1, 2009 Baku, Azerbaijan

Sincerely,

Vafa Djafarova

The chairman of Dalga (Wave) Youth Movement

Orkhan Nabiyev

Co-ordinator of International Relations

 

 

URL: http://iflry.org/blogs/mos/archive/2009/05/01/Azeri-Liberal-Expelled-from-University.aspx