April 2020 Action

Human rights defender Elchin Mammad was arrested at his home on March 30 after publishing an online report which was critical of the Azerbaijan government. In addition to his work as an activist, he also works for an NGO that offers free legal advice to low-income families and non-profits, and he serves as editor-in-chief of the newspaper Yukselish Namine, which covers human rights concerns. He and the organizations he is affiliated with have been targeted, along with many other news outlets, activists, and NGOs since a 2014 crackdown by the government on dissent. President Ilham Aliyev has referred to political rivals and critics in Azerbaijan as “traitors.” While Elchin Mammad has been detained and harassed in the past, this most recent arrest followed the claim that he had "stolen jewelry" on his premises—conveniently being discovered the day after the publication of his human rights report. Write to Azerbaijani officials today calling for the immediate and unconditional release of Elchin Mammad!

Write to:

lham Aliyev
President of Azerbaijan
19 Istiqlaliyyat Street Baku AZ1066, Azerbaijan

Or use online form:
https://en.president.az/letters/new_form

Suggested talking points from Amnesty International:

  • Express your understanding that Elchin Mammad was arrested on March 30 after publishing a report critical of the Azerbaijani government.
  • Elchin Mammad has faced harassment from the authorities in connection with his human rights work.
  • In 2015, his organization was investigated, he was subjected to arbitrary detention, placed under travel restrictions and repeatedly summoned by police for questioning.
  • The new criminal proceedings against Elchin Mammad have been once again instigated under trumped up charges, in retaliation for his human rights work and critical reporting.
  • Urge the president to take all necessary steps to ensure Elchin Mammad’s immediate and unconditional release and an end to his unfounded prosecution
  • Ensure that the ongoing abuse of the country’s criminal justice system for persecution of government critics stops.