Rufat Safarov: “The right of Soyudli residents to live in healthy and safe conditions has been violated”

2023-07-11 07:11:18

Rufat Safarov, executive director of the “Defence Line” human rights organization, spoke about the mechanisms for protecting the rights of the victims of the Soyudlu incident.

What kind of work did civil societies and human rights organizations do in the field of legal protection of Rufat bey Soyudlu events? Can these works be considered satisfactory?

As a human rights organization “Defense Line”, we immediately communicated with the victims, victims, and villagers regarding the events that took place in Soyudlu. We offered them legal services. The last time one of the villagers was missing for four days. It was not known where he was kept. The person’s father, wife, mother applied. We informed the public. Unfortunately, after a short time, that family contacted us and told us not to publicize these issues and refuse to provide any legal services. I would also like to inform you that I am one of the first to spread information about the Soyudlu incident in the Azerbaijani society. Because the residents of that village contacted us when the events reached their peak. Of course, we shared it with the Azerbaijani society. At the same time, a working group was already formed. The working group formed at the expense of civil society, human rights defenders and activists has already offered its services to the people of Soyudli. As far as I know, appeals have been made to the victims regarding the preparation of the appeal. But unfortunately it was refused. Of course, in the present case, I do not blame the village population. In this case, the main circles to blame are administrative bodies. Administrative structures that implement repressive measures.

It is mentioned in the local press that after the events in the village of Soyudlu, new arrests have begun. Although official institutions do not provide any information about this.

According to the information we have, the residents of Söyüdlü, who were detained when they protested over social and environmental problems, were subjected to severe and bad treatment and torture. Eleven villagers were detained. 8 of them were administratively arrested. The remaining 3 were tried on traditional and official charges, that is, in connection with the illegal circulation of narcotics. Unfortunately, today our communication is accompanied by many obstacles. Entry and exit to the village is restricted. This is the latest information. As I mentioned, all our initiatives and appeals are left unanswered. Even the last time I contacted some families, they spoke to me harshly and said that contact with human rights defenders, lawyers, opposition circles, media members aggravates the situation of the village. Of course, they deal with the villagers under blackmail, threats and pressure. As a whole, this indicates an administration based on violence, violence, and repressive methods and tools in Azerbaijan. There were several such incidents in Azerbaijan’s experience before Soyudly. Let us remember Nakhchivan, Saatli, Nardara, Tartar, etc. The authorities have applied the same. That is, if it is possible to say so, several “Willow” incidents have occurred in Azerbaijan. The names are different. The content is the same. The authorities responded with isolation, arrest, violence and violence.

Are there legal grounds for restrictions on access to the village? Is it possible to appeal to the courts regarding the constitutional rights of citizens?

I had a separate comment on this. Undoubtedly, in the present case, the constitutional rights of people have been violated. The right to freedom has been violated. It is as if an undeclared state of emergency is being discussed. If access to the village is restricted, it is already an unannounced situation. Undoubtedly, the authorities are not based on the norms of the law and the law when they do this in the present case. Against the background of the events in Soyudlu, I can say that several serious constitutional rights of the village population have been violated. The right to live in a healthy environment, the right to live in safe conditions, the right to freedom of assembly, which have been grossly violated. These will be disputed within the country. If the affected persons have consent in this regard. I think it is important to take the case to the European Court. Right now, the main thing we human rights defenders are doing is to convince the people of Soyudlu that we intend to provide them with free legal services. Now we don’t know if we will know that fear again or not. It depends on the time.

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