On December 9, the embassies of the United States, Great Britain and the European Union in Baku organized a reception on International Human Rights Day, celebrated annually on December 10. EU Ambassador Peter Michalko spoke about the global importance of human rights, fundamental freedoms, equality and minority rights, protection of privacy as the foundations of a democratic society, about the role played by human rights structures and civil society in this.

This year, the issue of rights has taken on special significance against the backdrop of massive violations of human rights due to Russia’s aggression against Ukraine and the suffering of peaceful Ukrainians.

He thanked the human rights defenders of Azerbaijan for their challenging work in protecting democratic values and fighting for human rights in difficult conditions. Mikhalko expressed regret that it was on Human Rights Day that the well-known activist and human rights activist Bakhtiyar Hajiyev was arrested in Azerbaijan.

“It is a very disturbing fact that a well-known activist has become the object of such treatment,” he stressed. British Deputy Ambassador to Azerbaijan Philip Barclay surprised those present with a speech in Azerbaijani, noting that human rights are always at the center of attention.

Referring to the situation in Ukraine, he said that attacks on civilians “by the Putin regime are appalling.” Britain will act against those responsible for these attacks, Barclay said.

Referring to Azerbaijan, he recalled that in the outgoing year there were “disturbing” facts, such as the arrest of politician Tofik Yagublu, and today’s arrest of Bakhtiyar Hajiyev, the attack on journalist Aytan Mammadova, the murder of journalist Avaz Hafizli and other representatives of the LGBT community.

“These events have shown that there is a need for greater respect and enforcement of rights,” the diplomat said. He expressed the readiness of the government of his country to cooperate with the authorities of Azerbaijan in the issue of demining in the liberated territories.

Acting US Ambassador to Azerbaijan Hugo Guevara recalled that the values of rights and freedoms initially formed the basis of American democracy. Ensuring the freedom of the individual, minorities have always been and remain values. In practice, this means fighting to ensure these rights, preventing attacks on unprotected groups of citizens.

He welcomed the human rights defenders and civil society activists of Azerbaijan for this challenging work. “For this reason, we are very concerned about today’s announcement of the arrest of Bakhtiyar Hajiyev,” Guevara said and recalled the words of President Biden that the United States will support human rights defenders, activists, and journalists everywhere who are fighting for democratic values and freedoms

Source: Turan News Agency