Withdraw the claim against the human rights defender Leila Yunus immediately

She has for a long time extensively criticised human right violations in Azerbaijan. The complaint against her is based on an interview where she pointed out that several officials in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs have been convicted for kidnapping a few years ago. The statements where published on the web-page Day.az on December 3, 2008. – The rights of Leila Yunus to make the statements that made the Ministry of Interior bring the libel case against her, is protected by freedom of expression provisions that are binding on Azerbaijan. Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights and Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights both protects expressions critical of governments and Ministry officials, says Bjørn Engesland, Secretary General of the Norwegian Helsinki Committee. «Little respect for freedom of expression and strong media control in Azerbaijan is causing great concern and has attracted considerable international criticism during recent years. The libel case brought against Leyla Yunus contributes to aggravating an already serious situation.