Statement by High Representative/Vice-President Federica Mogherini on the release of human rights activists in Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan's president Ilham Aliyev granted amnesty to 14 jailed activists and opposition politicians on 17 March 2016, in a move welcomed by the European Union and human rights advocates.

On 28 March, the prominent human rights activist Intigam Aliyev was also released from prison.

ESO: Background information: Human rights: Russia, Azerbaijan and Angola http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-human-rights-russia-azerbaijan-and-angola/

EurActiv, 18.03.16: EU welcomes release of regime critics in Azerbaijan http://www.euractiv.com/section/europe-s-east/news/eu-welcomes-release-of-regime-critics-in-azerbaijan/

BBC News, 17.03.16: Azerbaijan leader pardons 148 prisoners, including activists http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-35835086

EurActiv, 29.03.16: Azerbaijan releases prominent human rights activist http://www.euractiv.com/section/europe-s-east/news/azerbaijan-releases-prominent-rights-activist/

Human Rights Watch: Dispatches, 28.03.16: Top Rights Lawyer Freed in Azerbaijan https://www.hrw.org/news/2016/03/28/dispatches-top-rights-lawyer-freed-azerbaijan

EEAS: Statement, 28.03.16: Statement by the Spokesperson on the release of Intigam Aliyev, human rights lawyer in Azerbaijan http://eeas.europa.eu/statements-eeas/2016/160328_01_en.htm

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