S&D Group Press Release Last weekend Azerbaijani authorities violently dispersed peaceful rallies organised by the National Council of Democratic Forces (NCDF), an umbrella organisation of opposition parties, and civil society groups protesting against gender violence. Dozens of participants were detained, beaten and otherwise mistreated, including Ali Kerimli, the leader of the opposition People’s Front. Kati…

The Committee of Ministers at the Council of Europe today urged Azerbaijan to quash the conviction decisions and delete the criminal records of eight applicants known collectively as the ‘Ilgar Mammadov group’. The group is comprised of government critics, civil society activists and human rights defenders who have all been subjected to “retaliatory prosecutions” by the Azerbaijani…

Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum (EaP CSF) Steering Committee condemns the heavy-handed action taken by the Russian authorities in response to protests on 27 July 2019. The brutality and violence, as well as the wave of arrests that has followed, is no way to respond to peaceful expression of opinion – a civil right, enshrined in human rights and fundamental…

The Council of Europe’s Department for the Execution of Judgments (DEJ) has provided us with some useful feedback, relating to submissions made by applicants and their representatives on the implementation of judgments in Azerbaijan. The feedback is as follows: Submissions on Azerbaijani cases are generally poorer compared to those made from other countries. There are…

“Freedom of expression in Azerbaijan continues to be under threat” said Dunja Mijatović, Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, at the end of a four-day visit to Azerbaijan. Recalling the European Court of Human Rights’ judgments stressing a troubling pattern of arbitrary arrest and detention of government critics, civil society activists and human rights…

This policy paper was prepared within the framework of Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum (EaP CSF), specifically for Tbilisi Eastern Partnership Conference: Promoting Common Values through Education and Culture, happening between 25-26 June 2019. It provides a snapshot of the situation, with regards to promoting the fundamental European values in the higher education systems of the six EaP countries.…