The European Parliament issued a resolution on Azerbaijan sharply criticizing authorities for state of human rights in the country.

The MPs expressed deep concern at the increasing number of incidents of harassment, attacks and violence against civil society and social network activists and journalists in Azerbaijan.

They also called on Azerbaijani authorities to allow peaceful protest as well as freedom of assembly.  

The MPs call to release all members of the opposition, youth activists and bloggers remaining in custody, pointing out worsening human rights situation in the republic.

They urged the Azerbaijani authorities to safeguard all necessary conditions to allow the media, including opposition media, to operate, so that journalists can work and report freely without any pressure, and to pay special attention to the safety of journalists.