Freedom House condemns detention of 40 activists ahead of protest in Azerbaijan
Freedom House, international watchdog organization, has issued a statement condemning the detention of 40 activists, bloggers, and opposition party members in Azerbaijan ahead of a planned protest of the upcoming constitutional referendum.
The statement, on the organization’s website, reads: “The targeting of these individuals for harassment and detention ahead of a peaceful protest is an unequivocal violation of freedom of speech and freedom of assembly”
“The government of Azerbaijan must immediately release those detained and cease intimidation of individuals who seek to exercise their constitutional rights,” said Robert Herman, vice president for the organization’s international programs.