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IPGA Coalition Submission to the UN Universal Periodic Review

10 October 2012. The International Partnership Group for Azerbaijan has made a coalition submission to the UN Universal Periodic Review (UPR) of Azerbaijan, for consideration at the 16th session of the UN working group in April/May 2013.

The IPGA is concerned that the human rights situation in Azerbaijan has continued to deteriorate significantly since the first UPR in 2009.  In light of the alarming current state of freedom of expression in the country, the IPGA seeks to contribute constructively to the UPR process.

The coalition submission emphasises that the Azerbaijani government has failed to implement a number of the recommendations it accepted in the first cycle of the UPR. In particular, the submission examines the following key freedom of expression issues:

  • Failure to protect the right to life of journalists
  • Impunity for violence against journalists
  • Violations of the right to private life
  • Politically motivated arrests and imprisonment
  • Cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment
  • Legislative restrictions on freedom of expression
  • Restrictions on freedom of expression online
  • State control of the media

The submission makes a number of recommendations which focus on Azerbaijan’s compliance with its international human rights obligations in respect to freedom of expression. To read the submission in full, please click here.

The IPGA submission was prepared by a coalition of international and national NGOs, led by ARTICLE 19 and with input from:

This submission is also endorsed by: 

Photo courtesy of the United Nations.