Human Rights Watch urges Baku to release detained protesters

Human Rights Watch has called upon the Azerbaijani government to release anyone still detained for participating in the peaceful protest and open an impartial investigation into excessive use of force.

“The Azerbaijani government shows no shame with its blatant trampling on people’s fundamental right to express their grievances peacefully,” said Rachel Denber, deputy Europe and Central Asia director at Human Rights Watch. “The authorities should immediately release those detained and investigate police behavior.”

A statement on the organization’s website says that Azerbaijan is a party to a number of human rights treaties, including the European Convention on Human Rights, with the government additionally having a duty a duty to investigate and remedy violations.