Democratic Public Of Azerbaijan Appeal To Participants Of "Eurovision- 2012" For Help

• Thursday, February 23, 01:39

Baku. Campaigners of "Sing for Democracy", which is fighting for the release of political prisoners and prisoners of conscience on the eve of "Eurovision-2012", decided to appeal to participants the contest.

The appeal published on Wednesday during a news conference at the Azerbaijani Media Center reads, "We ask you to help improve the human rights situation".

The appeal reminds about the issues of 60 political prisoners, arrested journalists, and property rights violations of 60,000 citizens. "These issues are raised not only by us, but also by international organizations and the European press,"  the authors of the appeal read.

Human rights activist Leyla Yunus said the text of the appeal along with Azerbaijan civil society will be sent to each participant of the contest, to sign and forward to President Ilham Aliyev, as well as to the organizing committee of  "Sing for Democracy".

                To date, there are 16 prisoners of conscience in Azerbaijan; they have been arrested for taking part in rallies in April and March, 2011. Under arrest are also four journalists: Avaz Zeynalli, Aydin Janiyev, Ramin Bayramov and Anar Bayramli. They were charged with various criminal offenses, but the real reason for their arrest is political, human rights activists say.

The campaigners "Sing for Democracy", including 29 NGOs and the media, said they protect all who are arrested for political reasons, regardless of their religious belonging.

The campaign <Sing for democracy> is confident that the joint efforts of the Democrats of Azerbaijan and the international community will give its results. Previously, a human rights organization Amnesty International issued a report "Azerbaijan will not be afraid , the country which   will host music contest Eurovision-2012,   all voices must be heard." The report noted serious violations of human rights.

"We expect that  thank to our joint efforts political prisoners will be released on the eve of the contest

"Eurovision-2012", said the journalist Shahvaled Chobanoglu.