UN Authority Figures

UN Human Rights Council Vice-President and Rapporteur: Azerbaijan

Police in Azerbaijan detained activists and bloggers during a protest. Police later visited the homes of relatives of those detained. Opposition activists were also beaten. (Radio Free Europe Radio Liberty, May 22, 2009)

Mission of the Human Rights Council:
"The General Assembly...2. Decides that the Council shall be responsible for promoting universal respect for the protection of all human rights and fundamental freedoms for all, without distinction of any kind and in a fair and equal manner; 3. Decides also that the Council should address situations of violations of human rights, including gross and systematic violations, and make recommendations thereon..." (Resolution 60/251)

Azerbaijan's Term of office: 2008-2009

Azerbaijan's Record on human rights:
"The government's human rights record remained poor and worsened in some areas. The public's right to peacefully change the government was restricted...Torture and beating of persons in police and military custody resulted in three deaths, and law enforcement officials acted with impunity. Prison conditions were generally harsh and life threatening. Arbitrary arrest and detention, particularly of individuals considered by the government to be political opponents, and lengthy pretrial detention continued. The government continued to imprison persons for politically motivated reasons. Pervasive corruption, including in the judiciary and law enforcement, continued. Restrictions on freedom of assembly continued, particularly in terms of political organizing, peaceful protests, and religious activity. Restrictions and pressure on the media and restrictions on political participation worsened. The government imposed restrictions on the activities of some unregistered Muslim and Christian groups. Cases of violence against women were also reported. Trafficking in persons for sexual exploitation and forced labor remained a problem." (U.S. State Department's Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2008, Azerbaijan)

In 2007 UN Human Rights Council made a decision to end scrutiny of Iran and Uzbekistan based on the recommendation of a five-member panel [Working Group on Situations]. One of the members of this panel that urged no scrutiny for Iran and Uzbekistan was – Azerbaijan. ( "UN Human Rights Council Comes Under Fire", March 28, 2007, Radio Free Europe Radio Liberty)

The record of the individual holding this position, Elchin Amirbayov:
"I would like to commend the Sudanese Government for its strong commitment to cooperate with the international community...Sudanese Government has exerted dedicated efforts to implement the Darfur Peace Agreement...Given the complexity and the tragic nature of the conflict one should refrain from depicting the situation in black and white terms...Sudan should be further helped to stabilize the situation in the country...[T]he Government is heavily engaged through the use of all possible avenues in trying to bridge existing differences with the outstanding rebel factions, it is engaged in dialogue...to put an end to violence..." (Statement of Azerbaijan at the Special Session of the Human Rights Council on the Situation of Human Rights in Darfur, December 12, 2006)

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