EP slams Azerbaijan for human rights violationsMay 13, 2011 - 11:27 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The European Parliament has adopted a resolution which condemns violations of human rights in Azerbaijan. The EP expressed its deep concern at the increasing number of incidents of harassment, attacks and violence against civil society and social networks activists and journalists in Azerbaijan, which prove the determination of Azerbaijani authorities to clamp down on any forms of critical dissent and undercut the freedom of assembly. It also called on the Azerbaijani authorities to immediately release all social media and political activists arrested in connection with the peaceful demonstrations and to drop all charges that appear to be politically motivated. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Narek Manasyan wins European Boxing Championships silver for Armenia Armenia’s Narek Manasyan (92kg) won Armenia’s second silver medal at the European Boxing Championships 2024 on April 28. Blinken urges Azerbaijan to continue negotiations with Armenia Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken has urged Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev to continue negotiations with Armenia. Pashinyan, Blinken talk Armenia-U.S. ties over the phone Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan had a phone conversation with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on April 28, Pashinyan’s office reports. Titus, Bilirakis lead legislation to sanction Azerbaijani war criminals Representatives Dina Titus (D-NV) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) have introduced the bipartisan legislation. |