The
EU has expressed dismay at the arrest of another prominent human rights
defender, Rasul Jafarov, in Azerbaijan, on charges related to his work
for the Human Rights Club NGO, which “appear to be directly linked to recent changes in Azerbaijan’s legislation covering non-governmental organisations.”
A statement from the spokespersons of the EU External Action Service on 6 August said: “The
arrest of Mr Jafarov, coming so soon after the arrest last week of Dr
Leyla Yunus, adds to the impression that the authorities are
systematically restricting the space for public discourse and civil
society in Azerbaijan. We have also learned with concern that the
husband of Dr Yunus, Mr Arif Yunus, has been sentenced to three months’
pre-trial detention yesterday.”
The statement said the EU remained concerned by the security situation in the region: recalling its recent statement regarding Nagorno-Karabakh. “We
are convinced that the civil society has a vital role to play in
defending fundamental freedoms, especially during times of conflict,” it said, adding: “This
was the message delivered by European Commission President Barroso to
President Aliyev during his visit to Azerbaijan on 14 June 2014.”
