Azerbaijan: Eynulla Fatullayev receives compensation

English PEN warmly welcomes the news that our recently released Honorary Member Eynulla Fatullayev has finally received
compensation from the Azerbaijani government.

According to our information, earlier this week Eynulla Fatullayev held a press conference at which he announced that he had received 27,000 euros compensation from the government, in accordance with the
European Court of Human Rights ruling of April 2010. English PEN and other organisations campaigning on behalf of Eynulla Fatullayev had long been urging the authorities to comply with this ruling and were pleased to learn that they have finally done so. Fatullayev himself referred to the compensation as “a victory for the whole democratic community” and thanked everyone who had been involved in campaigns on his behalf.

Since his release in May 2011, Fatullayev has reportedly founded a new movement, ‘In the Interests of Human
Rights‘, which will focus on public relations, law, and political prisoners in Azerbaijan. Fatullayev also announced plans to hold an international conference on human rights in Baku in November, at which the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe rapporteur for political prisoners,
Christopher Strasser, will be present. Reports suggest that “Strasser is expected to meet with the families and lawyers of
Azerbaijani political prisoners, and to [produce a] special report for the winter
session of PACE. Fatullayev said that any attempt by the Azerbaijani
government to interfere with Strasser’s trip would risk a serious
international scandal.” (Click here for more details.) Fatullayev also announced that he intends to conduct research in prisons around the country, and has reportedly
already received the consent of the management of the Azerbaijani Penitentiary
Service.

Last but not least, Fatullayev spoke out on behalf of those who remain detained in Azerbaijan in violation of their right to free expression, including blogger and activist Jabbar Savalan. Savalan was sentenced on 4 May 2011 to two and a half years in prison on fabricated drugs charges. This is a further example of the authorities using drug charges for political purposes, as they did in Fatullayev’s own case.

Fatullayev has urged the international community to take action for Jabbar Savalan, saying “Do half
of what you did for me for Jabbar Savalan and he will be set free.”
To take action on behalf of Jabbar Savalan, please click here.

Our thanks again to everyone who has taken part in one or more of PEN’s campaign actions for Eynulla Fatullayev over the last few years. As Eynulla’s letter to PEN proves, our support really can make all the difference.