A number of European Parliament deputies have drafted a joint motion for a resolution condemning the Azerbaijani government for its persecution of human rights defenders and calling on Baku to immediately and unconditionally release all political prisoners and cease politically motivated arrests. In particular, the motion mentions the arrest of LeylaYunus, Director of the Institute for Peace and Democracy in Azerbaijan, and her husband, the historian ArifYunus, on politically motivated charges.

Other human rights defenders recently arrested by the Azerbaijani government cited in the resolution include RasulJafarov, Chair of Azerbaijan’s Human Rights Club, and Chair of Azerbaijan’s Legal Education Society, IntigamAliyev.

The resolution notes that: “Tthese cases in the wake of dozens of others affecting political activists, rights defenders, journalists, bloggers and social media activists, whom the authorities have imprisoned in the past two years on similarly trumped-up charges, including hooliganism, drug possession, tax evasion, and even treason; whereas the recent wave of arrests has had a severe ripple effect, compelling a number of well-known activists to flee the country or go into hiding.”

Read full text of joint resolution HERE