The Association of Schools of Political Studies of the Council of Europe (ASPS) which groups Schools from 21 countries in Europe and Africa including Azerbaijan, meeting in Strasbourg on 4 November 2014, pointed to the Court’s unequivocal finding that “the actual purpose of his detention had been to silence or punish (Mr Mammadov) for criticizing the government and publishing information it was trying to hide”.

The ASPS welcomes and fully endorses the call by Council of Europe Secretary General, Thorbjørn Jagland to free Ilgar Mammadov and his decision to follow closely trials of other human rights defenders in Azerbaijan.

The ASPS also deplores the muzzling and harassment of independent NGOs in a number of countries including the Russian Federation where several NGOs have been forced to close down because they refused to brand themselves as “foreign agents” – an expression akin to spying.

The ASPS once again calls resolutely on the Council of Europe and the European Union to ensure full respect for human rights, including freedom of expression and freedom of association, in all their member states.

Catherine Lalumière
President of the Association of Schools of Political Studies