16 June 2015
Spokesperson for the UN High Commissioner for Human
Rights: Rupert Colville
Location:
Geneva
Subjects:
(1) Yemen update
(2)
Azerbaijan
(1) Yemen update
According to our team in Yemen a total of 50 civilians,
including 18 children and 11 women, were killed during the period between 11
and 15 June. A further 111 civilians, including 20 children and 20 women, were
reported injured. This brings the total number of civilians killed since 26
March to 1,412, including 210 women, with 3,423 injured.
At least 13 civilian public buildings were impacted,
between 11 and 15 June bringing the total to 141 civilian public buildings
partially or completely destroyed as a result of the armed conflict.
At least 14 civilians were reportedly killed as a result
of violent clashes between local armed groups and military forces acting
together against Al Houthi-affiliated Popular Committees in Lahij, Taiz, Dhale
and Aden Governorates. Another civilian
was killed by an unknown source of fire.
At least 36 civilians were reportedly killed as a
consequence of airstrikes carried out by the Saudi Arabia-led coalition in
Sana’a, Hudaydah, Dhamar and Sada’a.
(2) Azerbaijan
We are concerned that a number of human rights defenders,
journalists and Government critics have been deprived of their liberty in
Azerbaijan for exercising their rights to freedom of expression, opinion,
association and assembly.
High Commissioner Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein has reached out
to the authorities, including the President and Minister of Foreign Affairs, on
a number of cases where such individuals are reportedly suffering from serious
health problems. The High Commissioner has sought their release on humanitarian
grounds. High Commissioner Zeid also seeks the release of all others who have
been deprived of their liberty simply for exercising their human rights.
These cases are indicative of a shrinking democratic
space in Azerbaijan, where many civil society actors, journalists and lawyers
fear reprisals or legal and administrative obstruction in carrying out their
important work. The closure of some media outlets is one symptom of a wider
problem, as is the denial of entry to prominent journalists and a major
international human rights organisation ahead of the European Games.
There is an urgent need to relax the legislative and
administrative requirements concerning civil society organisations. Local and
international NGOs must also be able to enjoy freedom of movement, including
being allowed to monitor domestic trials that involve human rights defenders
and journalists as well as to cooperate with international and regional human
rights bodies and mechanisms without fear of reprisals.
We also call on Azerbaijani authorities to ensure due
process and to prevent any interference with defendants’ rights to counsel.
Administration of justice needs to be independent and accountable, with full
respect for the international human rights obligations and commitments of
Azerbaijan.
The Government of Azerbaijan has been giving due
attention to social and economic rights in the country and working to deal
effectively with the displaced population. We urge the authorities to give the
same attention to ensuring respect for the rule of law and to urgently review
all cases where people may have been deprived of their liberty for expressing
dissenting views or otherwise exercising their fundamental rights.
ENDS
For more information and media requests, please contact please
contact Rupert Colville (+41 22 917 9767 / rcolville@ohchr.org ), Ravina
Shamdasani (+41 22 917 9169 / rshamdasani@ohchr.org ) or Cécile Pouilly (+41 22
917 9310 / cpouilly@ohchr.org)
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