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The government of President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has stepped up the pressure on critics of the government and independent organizations in the country. In Azerbaijan, the situation with the human rights in comparison with previous years is growing worse. This is stated in the article written by Jodie Ginsberg, published on the website of the international human rights organization “Index on Censorship”.

As it is noted in the material, in the number of gross violations of human rights in Azerbaijan are include the prosecution of journalists, political opponents, the pressure on civil society. Over the past few months, many well-known Azerbaijani and human rights activists have been arrested on various charges. The article notes the names of human rights activist Leyla Yunus and her husband Arif Yunus, a journalist and human rights activist Rasul Jafarov, lawyer Intigam Alliev, journalist Seymour Hazy.

As it is written in the Azerbaijan’s last independent newspaper Azadliq, was forced to suspend printing in July because of financial pressures from the government. Azerbaijani authorities want at all costs to crush the authoritative voice of the opposition media. The author recalls the story of journalist Khadija Ismailova, who has become the target of attacks of government for his journalistic activities. Ismailova is the author of a number of journalistic investigations on corruption in the highest echelons of power in Azerbaijan, the article writes.

“According to the international observer mission, the October 2013 election “was undermined by limitations on the freedoms of expression, assembly and association”, with “significant problems” observed throughout election day. Transparency International has called Aliyev’s government the most corrupt in Europe. Baku is preparing to host the first ever European games, what will happens then?” the author wonders.

“Index on Censorship” also writes that on September 17 in London, outside the offices of British Petroleum (BP) - the largest operator of oil production in Azerbaijan- protest was held under the slogan "Stop supporting repressions in Azerbaijan."
This week marks the anniversary of the signing of the Contract of the Century, when BP began its 20 year relationship with the Aliyev clan. Ilham Aliyev, with considerable power and money, facilitating the country’s repressive regime and hampering democracy.

The organizers of the protest say there are currently 98 political prisoners being held in Azerbaijan and the threat of arrest others is also high.

“We’re here today in solidarity with Azerbaijani civil society who are calling on BP to raise the case of the 98 political prisoners in Azerbaijan and also to drop their sponsorship of the 2015 Baku European Olympic Games,” told Emma Hughes one of the organisers of the protest.