Azerbaijani human rights defenders Leyla and Arif Yunus have been detained since July 30, 2014, under the charges of treason and fraud. In July and August, 2015, the preliminary trial against them started, with international observers calling it a show trial aimed at cracking down on Azerbaijani civil society. Over the last year, Leyla and Arif have been denied access to proper healthcare, leading to severe deterioration of their health. In this letter from Leyla Yunus, communicated to us through her daughter Dinara Yunus, she discusses the ongoing trial and Arif's deteriorating health.
"Judge Afgan Mamedov is deliberately risking my and Arif's lives
On August 3, Arif fainted during the hearing. His blood pressure raised to 260/140. An ambulance was called, he was given injection. He should have been taken back.
However this was not done. He was lying in the room in half fainted state during four hours. The same day I was not allowed to stay with him. I was taken away from him by force.
He is being injected everyday with popopherin and dikpophenak.
Everyday the trial continued. It was not interrupted. Arif was not in a condition to follow the trial. He was lying all the time on my laps on the bench, and doctor from Ministry of National Security was looking after him.
During the trial, every half hour the doctor was informing about his condition and giving him injection. Trial is proceeding behind closed doors by the regime.
Prosecutor in his speech asked 11 years of imprisonment for me and 9 years for Arif. Most likely the verdict will be announced next week. Trial proceeds in speed up mode, so it won't bring attention of international mass media.
During the trial, there were no presentations of any proof of the accusations. The last medical conclusion of doctor is that Arif is in pre-stroke state.
Judge Afgan Mamedov is deliberately risking with my and Arif's lives. This once again proves that they have received order from above about our deliberate and intentional destruction."
- Leyla Yunus
WPP calls for the immediate release of Leyla and Arif Yunus, together with all other political prisoners in Azerbaijan, dropping all charges against them.
WPP has been reporting and disseminating information about the situation of Leyla and Arif since their arrest in August 2014, and has been in close contact with their daughter Dinara. Their arrest was part of a major crackdown of the Azerbaijani government on human rights defenders, journalists and bloggers. Leyla and Arif have now been jailed for over a year. Read more about the case of Leyla and Arif Yunus here.
12 Dec '17 Today, we are pleased to share with you the Conference Report “Financial Inclusion for Freedom and Security” by the Women Peacemakers Program, Duke Law International Human Rights Clinic, Human Security Collective, Transnational Institute, the Charity & Security Network, in cooperation with the Knowledge Platform Security and Rule of Law.
7 Dec '17 Today, on the 13th day of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence Campaign, we bring you the sad news that from 15 December onwards, the Women Peacemakers Program (WPP) will have to close its doors. We would like to ask for your time to read what has driven us to make this decision.
7 Nov '17 On Thursday, 26 October 2017, a side event entitled, “Pulling the Rug from Under Our Feet: What is the UNSCR 1325 Without Civil Society Freedoms?” was hosted on the margins of the 17th anniversary of United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1325. The event was hosted by the Women Peacemakers Program (WPP) and the Dutch Mission, in collaboration with Duke Law’s International Human Rights Clinic, Al-Hayat Center for Civil Society Development, Arab Women Organisation of Jordan, NOVACT, Free Sight Association, Iraqi Al-Amal Association, Women Empowerment Organisation, NGO Working Group on Women, Peace and Security and Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom. This article briefly looks at the main issues discussed during the event.
