US gov`t criticizes Azeri, Armenian rights records
Azerbaijan`s human rights record was poor in 2008
and even worsened in some areas, the US State Department claimed in
its annual report on human rights throughout the world.
The right of citizens to a peaceful transfer of power in the ex-Soviet state was restricted during the October presidential elections, according to the 2008 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices.
It maintained further that freedom of assembly and religious freedoms were violated, while the media faced pressure in the South Caucasus republic last year. Moreover, there were instances of beatings and torture while in police custody, with three such cases resulting in deaths, while the conditions of detention were challenging, and politically motivated arrests continued, according to the report.
It also said corruption is widespread in Azerbaijani courts and law enforcement agencies.
The State Department said violence against women, human trafficking, sexual exploitation and forced labor remained problems in the country, as well.
However, the State Department said the worst situation with human rights among the South Caucasus republics was observed in Armenia last year. The March 2008 post-election developments in the country were the worst outburst of violence in the region in recent years.
Thus, the report cited a considerable decline in Armenia`s record on democratic development. It indicated that the disputed presidential election in February was followed by weeks of mostly peaceful protests. However, authorities used force on March 1-2 to break up demonstrators in a tide of clashes that left 10 people dead.
The 20-day state of emergency announced after the protests was marred by outbursts of violence, pressure on independent media and violations of civil liberties by Armenian authorities. Throughout the year, authorities imposed restrictions on citizens` rights to assemble peacefully and to freely express their political views, said the report.
It further said that by the end of 2008, 59 opposition activists remained jailed, but government officials who could have been implicated in election-related crimes did not face any scrutiny.
Also, the US government said China blatantly trampled on human rights last year. The report accused the country of harassing dissidents and increasing its repression of ethnic minorities.
Among the other countries criticized were Russia and North Korea.
The right of citizens to a peaceful transfer of power in the ex-Soviet state was restricted during the October presidential elections, according to the 2008 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices.
It maintained further that freedom of assembly and religious freedoms were violated, while the media faced pressure in the South Caucasus republic last year. Moreover, there were instances of beatings and torture while in police custody, with three such cases resulting in deaths, while the conditions of detention were challenging, and politically motivated arrests continued, according to the report.
It also said corruption is widespread in Azerbaijani courts and law enforcement agencies.
The State Department said violence against women, human trafficking, sexual exploitation and forced labor remained problems in the country, as well.
However, the State Department said the worst situation with human rights among the South Caucasus republics was observed in Armenia last year. The March 2008 post-election developments in the country were the worst outburst of violence in the region in recent years.
Thus, the report cited a considerable decline in Armenia`s record on democratic development. It indicated that the disputed presidential election in February was followed by weeks of mostly peaceful protests. However, authorities used force on March 1-2 to break up demonstrators in a tide of clashes that left 10 people dead.
The 20-day state of emergency announced after the protests was marred by outbursts of violence, pressure on independent media and violations of civil liberties by Armenian authorities. Throughout the year, authorities imposed restrictions on citizens` rights to assemble peacefully and to freely express their political views, said the report.
It further said that by the end of 2008, 59 opposition activists remained jailed, but government officials who could have been implicated in election-related crimes did not face any scrutiny.
Also, the US government said China blatantly trampled on human rights last year. The report accused the country of harassing dissidents and increasing its repression of ethnic minorities.
Among the other countries criticized were Russia and North Korea.
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