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Azerbaijan: Update - Illegal demolition of the offices of three NGOs and destruction of their documents and equipmentposted on: 2011/08/16

On 10 August 2011, the building at 38, Shamsi Badalbeyli Street in Baku was demolished. The building houses the Institute of Peace and Democracy (IPD), the Azerbaijan Campaign for the Ban of Landmines, and the Women Crisis Center (WCC). The house was owned by Azerbaijan human rights defender Ms Leyla Yunus and her husband Mr Arif Yunus.

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On 10 August 2011 at approximately 8.30 pm, heavy machinery started the demolition of the building. Two activists were inside the building and they were reportedly only given five minutes to vacate the premises. In approximately 30 minutes, the builduing was demolished and all the documentation of the three human rights organisations as well as personal belongings of Leyla Yunus and her personal archives were destroyed.

It is reported that the demolition took place in the presence of a Mr Ismailov, representative of Baku municipality, and a Mr Gamborov, representatve of State committee dealing with property questions.

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Azerbaijan: Planned demolition by the authorities of a building housing human rights organisationsposted on: 2011/05/31

The offices of several Azerbaijani NGOs situated in Baku are at risk of being demolished by the authorities. Apartments 1 and 2 of 38, Shamsi Badalbeyli Street, house the Institute of Peace and Democracy (IPD), the Azerbaijan Campaign for the Ban of Landmines and the Women Crisis Center (WCC). The house legally belongs to Azerbaijan human rights defender Leyla Yunus and her husband.

Azerbaijan: Rejection of appeal of human rights lawyer Mr Vidadi Isganderov against imprisonment and launch of criminal proceedings against himposted on: 2011/05/25

On 10 May 2011 the Baku Appeals Court in Azerbaijan rejected the appeal of human rights lawyer Mr Vidadi Isganderov against a judgment which had sentenced him to two months pre-trial imprisonment, and ordered that a criminal trial be launched against him. Vidadi Isganderov is the head of the NGO “Promotion of Democracy Defence” and a member of the Civil Movement for Democracy “Public Chamber”. On 17 April 2011, he was arrested on his way to observe a protest in Sahil Park in the centre of Baku which was organised by the Public Chamber. He has been detained since that date.

Azerbaijan: Harassment of human rights defender Mr Ilgar Ibragimogluposted on: 2011/03/11

On 24 February 2010, human rights defender Mr Ilgar Ibragimoglu was subjected to police harassment as his name seems to have been included on a list of individuals required for police interrogation.

Further Information

Ilgar Ibragimoglu is Chairman of the human rights organisation DEVAMM (The Centre for the Protection of Freedom of Conscience and Religion), Secretary-General of the Azerbaijani chapter of the International Association for Religious Freedoms, and chief editor of the online newspaper Deyerler (Values), www.deyerler.org.

It is reported that on 24 February 2011, a police Major claiming to belong to the 29th police department of the Yasamal district of Baku called to Ilgar Ibragimoglu's home and requested a meeting with him.

Upon being informed that Ilgar Ibragimoglu was not present at the time, the Major requested that he contact him by telephone. Later the same day when Ilgar Ibragimoglu called the police, the Major stated that he wanted to meet with Igar Ibragimoglu as his name was included on a list of individuals required for “compulsory questioning”.

Azerbaijan: Ministry of Interior drops case against human rights defender Dr.Leyla Yunusposted on: 2009/03/02

On March 02 the Judge of the Yasamal District Court read out the decision by the Interior Minister to drop the charges against Leyla Yunus, Director of the Institute of Peace and Democracy, and the decision of the court not to pursue the lawsuit.

Azerbaijan: Accusations made against human rights defender, Ms Leyla Yunusposted on: 2009/01/14

Front Line is deeply concerned following information received of unfounded accusations of libel and judicial claims reportedly made by the Azerbaijani Minister of Interior, Ramil Usubov, against Ms Leyla Yunus, a prominent human rights defender and director of the Azerbaijani Institute of Peace and Democracy.

Azerbaijan: Accusations made against human rights defender, Ms Leyla Yunusposted on: 2009/01/14

Front Line is deeply concerned following information received of unfounded accusations of libel and judicial claims made by the Azerbaijani Minister of the Interior, Ramil Usubov, against Ms Leyla Yunus, a prominent human rights defender and director of the Azerbaijani Institute of Peace and Democracy.

Azerbaijan: Judicial harassment of Nusrat Aliyev, husband of human rights defender Akifa Aliyevaposted on: 2008/07/30

Front Line is concerned following reports received about the harassment of the family of human rights defender Akifa Aliyeva, in particular of her husband Nusrat Aliyev. Akifa Aliyeva is Coordinator of the Ganja branch of the Helsinki Citizens' Assembly of Azerbaijan, an organisation which protects human rights, promotes democracy in the region, and peace-building in the Southern Caucasus. Front Line previously wrote to you in relation to the harassment of human rights defender Javid Aliyev, Akifa Aliyeva's son, on 25 April 2007.

Azerbaijan: Human rights defender Emin Huseynov in intensive care following a beating whilst in detentionposted on: 2008/06/16

Front Line is deeply concerned following reports of the arrest and ill-treatment of human rights defender Emin Huseynov, in Baku on 14 June 2008. Emin Huseynov is the Chairperson of the Institute for Reporters' Freedom and Safety (IRFS) and works to defend freedom of expression in Azerbaijan.

Azerbaijan: Arbitrary detention of human rights defender Emin Huseynov and confiscation of materialsposted on: 2008/06/13

Front Line is deeply concerned following the arbitrary detention of human rights defender Emin Huseynov. Emin Huseynov is the Chairperson of the Institute for Reporters' Freedom and Safety (IRFS) and works to defend freedom of expression in Azerbaijan.