OSCE Human Rights Head deplores wave of arrests in Azerbaijan

WARSAW, 20 October 2003 - Ambassador Christian Strohal, Director of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), has expressed deep concern over a wave of arrests of opposition party officials and supporters in the wake of last week's flawed presidential election.

Ambassador Strohal particularly condemned the detentions of many election officials who refused to certify the results in their polling stations or districts.

"It is absolutely unacceptable that election officials have been obliged to sign vote count protocols under duress, or under threats to their families or their jobs", Strohal said. "The security of all election officials who have conducted their duties honestly should be guaranteed, and any remaining in detention should be released immediately."

Large numbers of opposition party leaders and activists have also been detained throughout the country, in areas where no post-election violence occurred. The OSCE/ODIHR has compiled the names of more than 100 individuals detained in over a dozen cities, who were apparently not involved in the street protests and resulting violence in Baku. A substantially larger number of detentions are reported to have taken place.

"We deeply deplore this turn of events", Ambassador Strohal commented. "A post-election period should not be the occasion for a general crackdown on the opposition."

The detentions come in the wake of violence and disturbances in downtown Baku, following the 15 October presidential election, which OSCE observers judged to have fallen short of OSCE commitments and international standards. The OSCE has deplored the post-election violence and has called on all parties to show restraint and a willingness for dialogue.