Last Updated: Friday, 26 May 2023, 13:32 GMT

U.S. 'increasingly concerned' about Azerbaijan's rights record

Publisher Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty
Publication Date 1 December 2014
Cite as Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, U.S. 'increasingly concerned' about Azerbaijan's rights record, 1 December 2014, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/54be129015.html [accessed 27 May 2023]
DisclaimerThis is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

December 01, 2014

The United States says it is "increasingly concerned" over Azerbaijan's human rights record.

"We are deeply concerned by recent restrictions on civil society activities in Azerbaijan," said State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki on December 1 in Washington.

She added that the United States is "increasingly concerned that the government of Azerbaijan is not living up to its international human rights commitments and obligations."

Azerbaijan has cracked down harshly on human rights activists and journalists since assuming the chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe in May.

Human rights activist Leyla Yunus has been in jail since July, and her husband has been in jail since August, on charges of high treason that they say are politically motivated.

Her lawyer says her health has deteriorated significantly.

Last week, human rights lawyer Elcin Namazov was jailed and opposition activist Asif Yusifli went missing.

Link to original story on RFE/RL website

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