YEREVAN, MARCH 21, ARMENPRESS. On the traditional holiday of Nowruz, Helsinki Commission leaders called on the Azerbaijani government to immediately release all remaining political prisoners and honor its OSCE commitments to human rights, democracy, and the rule of law, reports “Armenpress”.

“It is disappointing that President Aliyev released only a small number of political prisoners among several hundred pardons he issued prior to Nowruz. OSCE participating States commit to respecting freedom of expression, including the freedom to exchange information and views without interference from public authorities. The government of Azerbaijan should uphold this commitment by releasing opposition figures, civil rights activists, journalists, and religious leaders who are currently in jail for peacefully exercising their rights. This is particularly true in the case of former presidential candidate Ilgar Mammadov, who recently entered his fifth year in prison on politically-motivated charges”, Helsinki Commission Chairman Sen. Roger Wicker said.

“President Aliyev’s pardons left dozens of human rights activists, journalists, and political dissidents languishing in prison and subject to mistreatment. I call on President Aliyev to respect human rights and democracy in his country and immediately release all prisoners of conscience”, Helsinki Commission Co-Chairman Rep. Chris Smith said.

In 2017 Azerbaijan’s government issued pardons to more than 400 prisoners, but only four political prisoners were freed.