APPEAL
by Political Prisoners in Azerbaijan
The development experience of the democratic world shows that drawing on successful paths already taken makes an important contribution to solving problems. In light of this approach, as well as the international commitments Azerbaijan has undertaken, the active involvement and support of the democratic world are also necessary for our country’s democratization and for ensuring human rights and freedoms. While achieving this is primarily our task, it is also their responsibility.
International advocacy therefore plays an important role in securing international support and building cooperation and partnerships with the world’s democratic institutions. Gratefully acknowledging the positive work previously carried out in this area, we call on all parties involved to take the following into account so that future efforts can be more productive:
I. We consider it more beneficial for the parties involved in advocacy to make Azerbaijan’s democratization and the state of human rights and freedoms in the country priorities on their main agendas together, as mutually reinforcing issues, rather than addressing them separately.
II. We believe that, if the parties involved in international advocacy focused on these key issues are guided in their work by the following expectations, they will make a greater contribution to achieving successful results:
- Expectations of those carrying out advocacy:
- Avoid focusing activities on a single individual or a limited group.
- Carry out their activities publicly.
- Provide program reports on the work carried out.
- Aim for activities to be consistent, sustained, and conducted as campaigns.
- Make every effort to coordinate activities with other groups and individuals.
- Take a conciliatory approach to the overall coordination of advocacy activities.
- Expectations of those supporting advocacy:
- Prioritize advocacy that, through the projects and proposals supported, addresses all clearly and precisely identified political “cases”, rather than focusing on a particular individual or group.
- Encourage individuals and groups engaged in advocacy to coordinate their activities and seek common ground.
- Avoid duplication and misuse by sharing information about proposals and projects with international partners.
- Prioritize conducting advocacy publicly, including carrying out these activities consistently and as campaigns.
- Expectations of the parties targeted by advocacy (foreign governments, parliaments, international organizations):
- Publicly call on the Azerbaijani government to fulfill its commitments concerning democratization, human rights, the rule of law, transparency, and accountability.
- Call for an end to politically motivated persecution, the release of those detained, and legal and political measures against those responsible for arbitrary actions.
- Support the priority consideration of cases before the European Court of Human Rights, including ensuring that the Council of Europe’s Cabinet of Ministers takes effective steps to implement the Court’s judgments.
- Take effective remedial measures for people whose health is deteriorating or who have health problems.
- Begin imposing sanctions on officials involved in political persecution, at least on the officials involved in existing “cases”.
The list has been prepared on the basis of the views of the political prisoners we have been able to contact and remains open to additional signatures.
Signatures:
Afiaddin Mammadov – Labor Union
Akif Gurbanov – Toplum TV
Agil Humbatov – Popular Front Party
Anar Abdulla – Election Monitoring and Democracy Studies Center
Aynur Elgunash – Meydan TV
Aysel Umudova – Meydan TV
Aytaj Tapdig (Ahmadova) – Meydan TV
Bahruz Samadov – Peace activist
Elnara Gasimova – AbzasMedia
Elnur Hasanov – Popular Front Party
Elxan Aliyev – Popular Front Party
Alasgar Mammadli – Toplum TV
Ali Zeynal – Toplum TV
Alikhan Rajabli – Popular Front Party
Fatima Movlamlı – Meydan TV
Farid Ismayilov – Toplum TV
Hafiz Babali – AbzasMedia
Khayala Aghayeva – Meydan TV
Ilkin Amrahov – Toplum TV
Imran Aliyev – Meclis.info
Kanan Zeynalov – Popular Front Party
Mehman Aliyev – Popular Front Party
Mammad Ibragim – Popular Front Party
Mammad Mammadzade – Election Monitoring Alliance
Mushfig Jabbar – Toplum TV
Mutallim Orujov – Popular Front Party
Natig Javadlı – Meydan TV
Nargiz Absalamova – AbzasMedia
Niyamaddin Ahmadov – Popular Front Party
Novruz Taghiyev – Popular Front Party
Nurlan Libre – Meydan TV
Punhan Karimov – Popular Front Party
Rahil Guliyev – Popular Front Party
Ramil Babayev – Toplum TV
Ramil Guliyev – Popular Front Party
Ramin Deko (Jabrayilzade) – Meydan TV
Razi Alıshov – Popular Front Party
Ruslan Izzatli – Toplum TV
Rufat Safarov – Human Rights Defender
Sahib Mammadzade – Popular Front Party
Sevinj Vagifqızı – AbzasMedia
Shahin Hajiyev – Popular Front Party
Shamshad Agha – Meydan TV
Ulvi Hasanli – Abzas Media
Ulviyya Ali – Voice of America
Vuqar Gadirov – Popular Front Party
