Arrest of Ilgar Mammadov, Director of the Baku School of Political Studies
The European Association of Schools of Political Studies demands the immediate and unconditionnal release of Ilgar Mammadov, Director of the Baku School of Political Studies, who was wrongfully arrested by the Azerbaijan Authorities on 4 February 2013.
DECLARATION ON THE ARREST OF ILGAR MAMMADOV
Strasbourg 07.02.2013:
The Directors of Schools of Political Studies of the Council of Europe firmly condemn the arrest and imprisonment of their Azeri colleague, Ilgar Mammadov, Director of the Baku School, and call for his immediate release by the Azerbaijan authorities.
The charges brought against Mr. Mammadov, one of Azerbaijan’s leading advocates for genuine democracy, are clearly politically motivated and aimed at silencing him through judicial harassment.
This travesty of justice is in flagrant violation of Azerbaijan’s commitments and obligations as a member state of the Council of Europe and a signatory of the European Convention on Human Rights.
The Directors, grouped in the European Association of Schools of Political Studies which is chaired by former French Minister, Catherine Lalumière, call on the Council of Europe, the European Union and their member states to stand up for Human Rights and Democracy. They urge them to demand the immediate and unconditional release of Ilgar Mammadov whose only “crime” is to defend and promote the values and ideals which underpin the European project.
Download the Declaration in PDF.
