Azerbaijan
Petition to release convicts during the COVID-19 pandemic
Azerbaijani civil society actors, human rights defender and lawyers, and other citizens call on authorities to release prisoner due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The petition states that the poor quality of food and the overcrowded conditions of detention centers is especially problematic during the pandemic.
Upholding the humanist values, safety and right to health of a convict, the signatories join the petition to appeal for the adoption of an act of amnesty and decree of pardon for the release of a group of convicts. Among the suggested group to be released are women, war veterans, people arrested out of political motivation according to the local human rights lawyers and the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. The intended results of the petition are sought to offer relief to the penitentiary system and increase the international reputation of Azerbaijan. The petition is only to be signed by Azerbaijani citizens.
The text of the petition can be read in full here.