Human rights group warns of civil society crackdown in Azerbaijan

EurActiv reports on a study from Human Rights Watch 'Tightening the Screws. Azerbaijan’s Crackdown on Civil Society and Dissent' published in August 2013.

The report documents a deterioration of the Azeri's government’s record on freedom of expression, assembly, and association in the recent past. The authorities have arrested dozens of political activists on bogus charges, imprisoned critical journalists, broken up peaceful public demonstrations, and adopted legislation imposing new restrictions on fundamental freedoms.

Human Rights Watch documented the arrest and imprisonment of several high-ranking members of opposition political parties, government critics with large followings on social media, and people who have frequently been involved in political protests.

Human Rights Watch: Press Release, 02.09.13: Azerbaijan: Crackdown on Civil Society http://www.hrw.org/news/2013/09/01/azerbaijan-crackdown-civil-society

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