Ukrainian civic organizations speak out against the extradition of journalist Fikret Huseynli to Azerbaijan
We, media and human rights organizations of Ukraine, appeal to the Prosecutor General’s Office of Ukraine with a demand to urgently halt an extradition examination of journalist Fikret Huseynli and give him an opportunity to return freely to the Netherlands.
We believe that this journalist is in grave danger in Ukraine. In particular, this is connected with the fact that several unknown persons, some of whom spoke Azerbaijani, have attempted to kidnap journalist Huseynli on March 5 in Kyiv.
We believe that Fikret Huseynli under no circumstances should be extradited to a third country – Azerbaijan, due to the risk to his life and health. We remind you that there is a corresponding Resolution of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe that expresses concern over the human rights situation in Azerbaijan and the name Fikret Huseynli is directly stated in this Resolution, this is due to the kidnapping and tortures that he have suffered in Azerbaijan. We encourage the law enforcers to make final decision, while taking into account all the risks and threats to Huseynli’s life, health and law, in case of his extradition of Azerbaijan.
We also urge the Presidential Administration, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Information Policy of Ukraine to take control and do everything possible to ensure the fullest possible observance of the rights and freedoms of F. Huseynli.
The following civic organizations have signed the appeal:
Institute of Mass Information
Human Rights Platform
Human Rights Information Centre
Detector Media
Centre for Democracy and Rule of Law
“Internews-Ukraine”
NGO “Information Security”
The National Union of Journalists of Ukraine
“No Borders” Project
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