Azerbaijani opposition activist released from prison before the Eurovision Song Contest

Human rights activists expect to release the remaining political prisoners.

The Azerbaijani authorities should promptly follow the May 15, 2012 release of an opposition activist by releasing others held on politically motivated charges, Human Rights Watch said today. Ahead of the 2012 Eurovision Song Contest on May 22 through 26, the authorities should guarantee freedom of expression for protesters planning peaceful demonstrations in Azerbaijan's capital, Baku, as well as for the thousands of local and foreign journalists covering the song contest, Human Rights Watch said.

The release of Elnur Majidli, an opposition activist, on May 15 was unexpected, Human Rights Watch said. He was freed after a court hearing at the prison, based on a request he put forward to a local court. Majidli was arrested at a peaceful demonstration in Baku on April 2, 2011, together with hundreds of other demonstrators, who had taken to the streets inspired by the uprisings in the Middle East. He had been sentenced to two years in prison.

Azerbaijan's opposition parties plan peaceful protests on May 19 and 20. The authorities have not granted their requests to hold the protests in the center of Baku. The government should allow people, who have chosen to use the attention drawn to Azerbaijan by Eurovision to get their voices heard, to protest publicly without interference, Human Rights Watch said.