A library on human rights opened today in the Azerbaijani Human Rights House. The library contains 3,000 books in different languages on human rights, democracy, gender equality and conflict. Avaz Hasanov, the head of the Society for Humanitarian Research, informed visitors about the library and its tasks. He said that individuals and organizations can send books to the library.  “The library is open to all; it is possible to copy books and to use the Internet,” he said.

At the ceremony, representatives of international organizations presented the library with many books.

Azerbaijan’s Human Rights House was registered in the Justice Ministry in 2007. It will provide technical assistance to human rights organizations and to play the role of a resource center.

On June 4^th, the Azerbaijan National Committee for European Integration (ANCEI) and Azerbaijan National Platform of EaP Civil Society Forum (CSF) have held a joint press conference. Ilgar Hasanli, the coordinator of ANCEI, started the conference with opening remarks and underlined the importance of efficient delivering of the programs and projects realized by the organization. Avaz Hasanov, the Director of Society for Humanitarian Research and Coordinator of EaP Civil Society Forum (CSF) for Azerbaijan, gave information about the CSF to be held on 17-18 November, 2010 and application procedures.

In April 26, 2010 the conference titled “The role of the European Union Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum in European Integration; Platforms of effective opportunities” conducted jointly at the Grand Hotel Europe, Baku Ball Room on April 26, 2010 by the Azerbaijan Lawyers Confederation and  Society for Humanitarian Research with the support from Friedrich Ebert Foundation.

Avaz Hasanov - EaP CSF Steering Committee member, Director of the Society for Humanitarian Research, Mr. Ali Huseynov – Member of the Milli Madjlis (Parliament) of Azerbaijan, Head of delegation of Azerbaijan Republic in EURONEST, Azerbaijan Lawyers Confederation and Mr. Rashad Huseynli – Representative of the Fridrich Ebert Foundation in Azerbaijan delivered opening speeches.

Interview with Council of Europe (CE) Commissioner for Human Rights Thomas Hammarberg.

You will focus on three specific areas while in Azerbaijan. What is the reason for that?

I have been in Azerbaijan a few years earlier and the evaluation report has been developed on the results of the visit. The report that was posted on our Web site displayed information on all vital areas which we believe are important from human rights standpoint. The purpose of this visit is to assess the progress and changes that have occurred in several specific areas. One of these issues is the freedom and independence of media, including the creation of conditions for pluralism in media in order to ensure different voices.

Media Rights Institute Head Rashid Hajili said that the law on NGOs lacks regulations, and therefore, problems are inevitable during the registration of grants. Hajili noted that this way the government wants to control the grants.

The Legal Enlightenment of Sumgayit Youth (LESY) Public Union has sued Justice Ministry in the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR). The institute for Reporters` Freedom and Safety was told this by Legal Enlightenment of Sumgayit Youth (LESY) President Elchin Mammad. The appeal stems from the failure of local courts to fulfill NGO’s lawsuit regarding the refusal to punish the high-ranking official for not registering the NGO in years and to be paid 20 000 AZN in compensation.

The European Union (EU) and the Government of Azerbaijan have embarked on an intensive preparation of a Comprehensive Institutional Capacity Building programme.  The programme, funded by EU, is a concrete outcome of the Eastern Partnership initiative and will be in operation over the next 3 years. To facilitate the deepening of EU-Azerbaijan relations, it aims to strengthen various Government institutions to negotiate and implement the future Association Agreement between the EU and Azerbaijan.

The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today expressed concern that the government of Azerbaijan is violating its international obligations regarding respect for freedom of religion or belief along with other fundamental human rights, such as freedom of assembly and access to information. 

“USCIRF has monitored the deteriorating situation in Azerbaijan for five years and recent developments are troubling,” said Leonard Leo, USCIRF chair.  “We call on the United States Government and the international community to hold the Azeri leadership to its international human rights obligations on freedom of religion or belief.”