Accessibility links

Breaking News

EU Welcomes Amnesty In Azerbaijan


The European Union has welcomed an amnesty announced by Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev last week.

In a statement issued on October 20, the spokespersons of EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton and Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Fuele said the amnesty would lead to the release of some 80 prisoners, including at least four civil society activists.

They described the move as “a positive first step in reversing the trend of recent months” and called on Azerbaijani authorities to extend the amnesty to “other individuals belonging to civil society organizations who currently face imprisonment.”

The European Union, United States, and UN human rights experts have denounced a trend of repression against civil society in Azerbaijan, which is the current chair of the Council of Europe.

  • 16x9 Image

    RFE/RL

    RFE/RL journalists report the news in 27 languages in 23 countries where a free press is banned by the government or not fully established. We provide what many people cannot get locally: uncensored news, responsible discussion, and open debate.

RFE/RL has been declared an "undesirable organization" by the Russian government.

If you are in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine and hold a Russian passport or are a stateless person residing permanently in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine, please note that you could face fines or imprisonment for sharing, liking, commenting on, or saving our content, or for contacting us.

To find out more, click here.

XS
SM
MD
LG