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Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan Urged To Allow Peaceful Protests After Rallies Dispersed Violently

A man is detained during a rally in Baku on October 20.
A man is detained during a rally in Baku on October 20.

Human Rights Watch (HRW) has urged Azerbaijani authorities to release all the protesters who were detained after police violently dispersed two peaceful protests in central Baku over the weekend, and to investigate any allegations of ill-treatment by law enforcement.

Police rounded up dozens of peaceful opposition and civic activists, beating and roughing them up while forcing them onto buses and into police cars, HRW said in a statement on October 22.

The New York-based human rights watchdog quoted detained opposition activists as saying they had been severely beaten in police custody.

“Once again, the Azerbaijani government has shown complete disregard for people’s right to hold peaceful protests,” said Giorgi Gogia, associate Europe and Central Asia director at HRW.

Azerbaijani Capital Rocked By Weekend Of Protests

A women’s rights protester is detained by police in Baku on October 20.
1/12 A women’s rights protester is detained by police in Baku on October 20.
Two days of unauthorized protests in Baku were met with violence by the authorities. The demonstrations mark an uptick in street activism in the tightly controlled Caucasian country.
Signs that included a hashtag meaning “let girls study” appeared at the October 20 rally. Moments later, many of the signs were snatched from the protesters by police. Women's rights in Azerbaijan have become a flash-point issue after a Baku man stabbed his wife to death in front of their children earlier this month. 
2/12 Signs that included a hashtag meaning “let girls study” appeared at the October 20 rally. Moments later, many of the signs were snatched from the protesters by police. Women's rights in Azerbaijan have become a flash-point issue after a Baku man stabbed his wife to death in front of their children earlier this month. 
Two days of unauthorized protests in Baku were met with violence by the authorities. The demonstrations mark an uptick in street activism in the tightly controlled Caucasian country.
Police close in on the small group of protesters. A statement by the march organizers said the rally was held for “the rights of women and young girls who have been deprived of education, married off, coerced, exploited, and committed suicide.” 
3/12 Police close in on the small group of protesters. A statement by the march organizers said the rally was held for “the rights of women and young girls who have been deprived of education, married off, coerced, exploited, and committed suicide.” 
Two days of unauthorized protests in Baku were met with violence by the authorities. The demonstrations mark an uptick in street activism in the tightly controlled Caucasian country.
The day before, on October 19, Baku police responded with violence and alleged torture of demonstrators at another unauthorized rally.
4/12 The day before, on October 19, Baku police responded with violence and alleged torture of demonstrators at another unauthorized rally.
Two days of unauthorized protests in Baku were met with violence by the authorities. The demonstrations mark an uptick in street activism in the tightly controlled Caucasian country.
Dozens of people were detained after protesters at the demonstration -- which included opposition leaders -- called for the release of political prisoners and a reduction in gas and electricity prices.
5/12 Dozens of people were detained after protesters at the demonstration -- which included opposition leaders -- called for the release of political prisoners and a reduction in gas and electricity prices.
Two days of unauthorized protests in Baku were met with violence by the authorities. The demonstrations mark an uptick in street activism in the tightly controlled Caucasian country.
Some of the protesters were punched in the head as they were hauled into buses by police in riot gear.
6/12 Some of the protesters were punched in the head as they were hauled into buses by police in riot gear.
Two days of unauthorized protests in Baku were met with violence by the authorities. The demonstrations mark an uptick in street activism in the tightly controlled Caucasian country.
Opposition figures, including Ali Keremli (center, in gray jacket) marching in Baku. Keremli was later arrested and, he said, tortured in custody.
7/12 Opposition figures, including Ali Keremli (center, in gray jacket) marching in Baku. Keremli was later arrested and, he said, tortured in custody.
Two days of unauthorized protests in Baku were met with violence by the authorities. The demonstrations mark an uptick in street activism in the tightly controlled Caucasian country.
Keremli moments before his arrest. He told RFE/RL’s Azerbaijani Service that once in custody he was set upon by six or seven policemen, some of whom filmed as he was beaten. Keremli says during the assault that a policeman “was suffocating me by pushing his boot into my throat.”
8/12 Keremli moments before his arrest. He told RFE/RL’s Azerbaijani Service that once in custody he was set upon by six or seven policemen, some of whom filmed as he was beaten. Keremli says during the assault that a policeman “was suffocating me by pushing his boot into my throat.”
Two days of unauthorized protests in Baku were met with violence by the authorities. The demonstrations mark an uptick in street activism in the tightly controlled Caucasian country.
Azerbaijani police carry Keremli into custody. The authorities shut down several subway stations near the October 19 protest.
9/12 Azerbaijani police carry Keremli into custody. The authorities shut down several subway stations near the October 19 protest.
Two days of unauthorized protests in Baku were met with violence by the authorities. The demonstrations mark an uptick in street activism in the tightly controlled Caucasian country.
Riot police in central Baku on October 19. Journalists say mobile Internet access was also disrupted in the center of the capital, which means live-streaming video of the violence was impossible.
10/12 Riot police in central Baku on October 19. Journalists say mobile Internet access was also disrupted in the center of the capital, which means live-streaming video of the violence was impossible.
Two days of unauthorized protests in Baku were met with violence by the authorities. The demonstrations mark an uptick in street activism in the tightly controlled Caucasian country.
A woman lying on the ground after collapsing amid violent scuffles during the October 19 demonstration.
11/12 A woman lying on the ground after collapsing amid violent scuffles during the October 19 demonstration.
Two days of unauthorized protests in Baku were met with violence by the authorities. The demonstrations mark an uptick in street activism in the tightly controlled Caucasian country.
Some 60 people were arrested during the weekend protests. The authorities say most have been released, while 18 remain in custody and will face charges.
12/12 Some 60 people were arrested during the weekend protests. The authorities say most have been released, while 18 remain in custody and will face charges.
Two days of unauthorized protests in Baku were met with violence by the authorities. The demonstrations mark an uptick in street activism in the tightly controlled Caucasian country.
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On October 19, approximately 220 people participated in a demonstration organized by the National Council of Democratic Forces (NCDF), an umbrella group of Azerbaijani opposition groups.

The participants called for the release of political prisoners and reductions in rates for natural gas and electricity.

Police said 60 protesters were detained, 42 were released with a “warning,” and 18 cases were sent to administrative courts.

The authorities also detained at least 10 senior opposition party members ahead of the rally, including the leader of the opposition Popular Front Party, Ali Karimli, who was released late in the evening with “several stitches on his head and multiple bruises on his face,” HRW said.

On October 20, police also dispersed some 50-60 people, mostly women, who were protesting domestic violence.

The protest area was cordoned off and several participants were rounded up, put on a bus, and released shortly thereafter.

The authorities had turned down requests to hold the two protests in central Baku.

President Ilham Aliyev has ruled the South Caucasus country of nearly 10 million since shortly before the death of his father, President Heydar Aliyev, in 2003.

Aliyev has overseen the systematic dismantling of the country's civil society. Dozens of activists, journalists, and human rights activists have been arrested and convicted on what critics say are politically motivated charges. Independent media outlets have also been shut down.

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