December 20, 2013 –
The Honourable Deepak Obhrai, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs and for International Human Rights, today issued the following statement:
“Canada is concerned about the recent arrest and detention of Anar Mammadli, chairman of the Election Monitoring and Democracy Studies Center in Azerbaijan, on charges of illegal entrepreneurship.
“We call on the Azerbaijani authorities to release Mr. Mammadli while the legal process continues. Canada further urges Azerbaijan to respect fully the rights of Mr. Mammadli, in accordance with Azerbaijan’s obligations under international human rights law.”
By:IANS