UN condemns destruction of rights group's office in Baku
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 16 August 2011 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, UN condemns destruction of rights group's office in Baku, 16 August 2011, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/4e5cdbba23.html [accessed 26 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This 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. |
August 16, 2011
The United Nations has called on Azerbaijani authorities to thoroughly investigate last week's destruction of the offices of a prominent rights group in Baku and, if necessary, provide compensation.
In a statement today, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights said it was "concerned" by the demolition of the building housing the Institute of Peace and Democracy as well as of two other nongovernmental groups, the Azerbaijan Campaign to Ban Land Mines and the Women's Crisis Center.
The UN body urged Azerbaijan to "guarantee safe working conditions" for human rights campaigners in line with international agreements.
The building was torn down on August 11 under police supervision as part of an urban-renewal project, a move that drew strong condemnation from local residents, rights groups, and the European Union.
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
