We are concerned by the August 11 destruction in Baku of the building housing the Institute of Peace and Democracy as well as of two other important NGOs , the Azerbaijan Campaign to Ban Landmines and the Women´s Crisis Center – which, was the only shelter available to women in crisis, including victims of violence, in the Azerbaijan capital.
Bulldozers, said to have been dispatched by the Baku Mayor’s office without prior notice, carried out the demolition despite a ruling in May of this year by the Baku court prohibiting the destruction of the building, which was owned by the family of the Director of Institute of Peace and Democracy. City officials allegedly refused to allow the occupants to remove any of their belongings from the inside of the building, including valuable office equipment and files.
Given the worrying reports of forced evictions and destruction of property in Baku, as well as of harassment of human rights defenders, we call on the authorities of Azerbaijan to thoroughly investigate this case and, if necessary, provide adequate compensation and restitution. We also call on the government of Azerbaijan to guarantee safe working conditions for the Institute for Peace and Democracy, as well as for other human rights defenders in Azerbaijan in line with the fundamental principles set forth in International agreements.*
The Government of Azerbaijan is obliged, by the international and regional treaties which it has ratified to ensure respect for the right to adequate housing, for the prohibition of forced evictions and property rights, as well as for the rights and freedoms of human rights defenders.
During the June 2009 Universal Periodic Review of Azerbaijan by the Human Rights Council, the Government accepted a recommendation to “strengthen its efforts to guarantee freedom of assembly and association, to respect the work of human rights defenders, and that legislation concerning NGOs is implemented accordingly.” We call on the Government to honour this commitment.
* For example the Declaration on the Right and Responsibility of Individuals, Groups and Organs of Society to Promote and Protect Universally Recognized Human Rights and Fundamental Freedom.
