Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights Nils Muižnieks criticized Azerbaijan as freedom of expression and assembly are deteriorating in the country.

“Freedom of expression, assembly and association are regrettably deteriorating in Azerbaijan. I once again call on the authorities to pay urgent attention to these issues so as to comply with Azerbaijan's human rights obligations and commitments as a member state of the Council of Europe,”  Muižnieks said, while releasing his observation on the human rights situation in Azerbaijan.

“Unjustified and selective criminal prosecution of people expressing dissenting views, including journalists, bloggers and activists, continues unabated. This is unacceptable. All those who are detained because of the views they expressed must be released”.

He said a further reason of concern are the additional restrictions to the activities of non-governmental organisations introduced by the law signed by the President of Azerbaijan on 3 February 2014.

Furthermore, a number of peaceful protests have recently been dispersed by the police, sometimes with excessive force, and participants have been arrested and sentenced to administrative detention and fines.