Press release of the Permanent Mission regarding the News Release of the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights on 8 September 2015

The Permanent Mission fully rejects the groundless and biased statement made by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights on 08 September 2015.

The Permanent Mission remains deeply concerned that by ignoring the previously provided accurate information on the details of the specific cases, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights continues to make erroneous public statements based on preconceived sources.

It is very regretful that the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights repeatedly calls for the release of the persons that found guilty by the court decisions. The Permanent Mission strongly condemns and considers unacceptable the interference to the independent judiciary system, the attempts to deliberately politicize and distort the court decision that found Khadija Ismayilova guilty under the articles 179.3.2 (large-scale misappropriation and embezzlement), 192.2.2 (illegal entrepreneurship), 213.1 (tax evasion) and 308.2 (abuse of official duties) of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan on 1 September 2015. The Republic of Azerbaijan fully ensures the independence of the judiciary and the rule of law. The decision of the court must be respected. Besides, everyone has the right to appeal a court decision as specified in the legislation.

In the light of the above-mentioned, the Permanent Mission urges the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to verify the accuracy and reliability of the sources while making such public statements regarding Azerbaijan.

The Republic of Azerbaijan is fully committed to the promotion and protection of human rights and freedoms and in this regard, the Permanent Mission reminds its call to the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to continue the dialogue in a constructive manner.