GENEVA – A group of United Nations human rights experts, including Maina Kiai, today condemned the recent prison sentencing of prominent Azerbaijani human rights activists Leyla and Arif Yunus as “manifestly politically motivated and representative of the continuing repression of independent civil society in Azerbaijan.” On 13 August 2015, the Baku Grave Crimes Court sentenced Ms. and Mr. Yunus to eight and a half and seven years’ imprisonment respectively on charges of fraud, tax evasion, and illegal entrepreneurship. They also face charges of treason. “The authorities of Azerbaijan must put an end immediately to all forms of persecution against human rights activists in the country,” the experts said. “Leyla and Arif Yunus are two of many activists in Azerbaijan, which include Anar Mammadli, Rasul Jafarov and Intigam Aliyev, who have been targeted because of their legitimate human rights work.” “Criminalization of those working for the promotion and protection of human rights in the country is deeply disconcerting,” the experts said, reiterating a call on the authorities they made one year ago “to reverse the trend of repression, criminalization and prosecution of human rights work in the country.” “Silencing these prominent voices is having a devastating impact on the... Continue reading →
