Watchdog Slams Azerbaijan for Arresting Opposition Activists
The Human Rights Watch (HRW) non-profit organization on Wednesday condemned arrests of a number of Azerbaijani opposition activists and leaders after an unauthorized rally in Baku on July 14, describing the situation as political persecution by the country's government
MOSCOW (Pakistan Point News / Sputnik - 19th August, 2020) The Human Rights Watch (HRW) non-profit organization on Wednesday condemned arrests of a number of Azerbaijani opposition activists and leaders after an unauthorized rally in Baku on July 14, describing the situation as political persecution by the country's government.
On July 14, a small group of protesters stormed the country's parliament, inflicting property damage before being removed by the police. Azerbaijan's authorities painted it as a coup attempt retaliating by arresting dozens of opposition members, according to the HRW.
"The authorities opened an investigation into 'violating public order and resistance or use of force against a government representative.' Activists say that at least 80 people were detained on spurious administrative and criminal charges, although the exact figures are unknown," the watchdog said in a statement.
The HRW stressed that Azerbaijan participates in several international agreements that prohibit arbitrary detention as well as guarantee the right to a lawyer and ban maltreatment of detainees.