HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSIONER NOOKE IN THE CAUCASUS

Auswertiges Amt
July 10 2009
Germany

Interpreter’s arrest casts cloud over visit

In Azerbaijan and Armenia Gunter Nooke discussed the human rights
situation, particularly as regards freedom of the press. An attack
on a local human rights activist who was to act as his interpreter
and his subsequent arrest cast a cloud over his visit to Baku, the
capital of Azerbaijan. Nooke called for his release.

Nooke expressed his concern over the situation of the media in
Azerbaijan and the plight of journalists in detention. Representatives
of the Opposition complain that they are denied access to the media.

Nooke also pointed out that Germany has high expectations of Azerbaijan
not only as regards economic cooperation but also as regards political
developments in the country. To date these expectations had not been
fulfilled, he noted.

The attack on a human rights activist, the former head of the
Friedrich Ebert Foundation in Baku who had been due to act as Nooke’s
interpreter, cast a cloud over the visit. According to onlookers’
accounts, the man had been attacked and beaten up while dining with
companions in a Baku restaurant.

When the police arrived they arrested not only the two assailants –
who have now been released – but also the victim himself on charges
of "hooliganism". He has now been remanded on custody for two months
and is to face further charges.

Nooke called on the Azerbaijani authorities to release the
detainee. This is "a very nasty attempt to silence political
dissidents," he noted.

First leg of the trip: Armenia

The main topic of Nooke’s talks in the Armenian capital of Yerevan
during the first leg of his trip were the events of March 2008.

After the presidential elections in February 2008 hundreds of thousands
took to the streets to protest against alleged vote rigging. On 1
and 2 March violent clashes occurred in which ten people died and
hundreds were arrested. Despite the proclamation of an amnesty in June,
an unknown number of demonstrators remain in detention.

The Council of Europe took a keen interest in the detainees, Nooke
emphasized, and was concerned about their plight. The Council had
called on the Government to fully investigate the clashes and take
appropriate action. In his talks with Government officials Nooke also
criticized the restrictions on freedom of the press in Armenia.