I call upon you and your government to release Leyla Yunus immediately and unconditionally

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President,

Ilham Aliyev,

Office of the President of Azerbaijan,

19 Istiqlaliyyat Street,

Baku AZ1066,

Azerbaijan

Date: ______________

Dear President Aliyev,

I am writing to you because of my deep concern about Leyla Yunus, who is being held in pre-trial detention after her arrest on 30 July.

It appears that Leyla Yunus has been arrested because of her work as a defender of human rights in your country. I believe she has been detained solely for her peaceful attempts to exercise her right to freedom of expression and association. For this reason I call upon you and your government to release Leyla Yunus immediately and unconditionally.

I am also concerned to learn that Arif Yunus, husband of Leyla Yunus, may also be facing charges and has been placed under travel restrictions.

As you will know, over recent years the European Court of Human Rights has issued several decisions finding the Azerbaijani authorities responsible for violating the right to freedom of association. I urgently ask you to insist on full respect for, and protection of, the right to freedom of expression in your country.

I earnestly appeal to you to ensure the immediate release of Leyla Yunus and to guarantee the protection of human rights in Azerbaijan. Thank you.

Yours very sincerely,

From:

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Prosecutor General,

Zakir Qaralov,

7 Rafibeyli Street,

Baku AZ1001,

Azerbaijan.

Date: ______________

Dear Prosecutor General,

I am writing to you because of my deep concern about Leyla Yunus, who is being held in pre-trial detention after her arrest on 30 July.

It appears that Leyla Yunus has been arrested because of her work as a defender of human rights in your country. I believe she has been detained solely for her peaceful attempts to exercise her right to freedom of expression and association. For this reason I call upon you and your government to release Leyla Yunus immediately and unconditionally.

I am also concerned to learn that Arif Yunus, husband of Leyla Yunus, may also be facing charges and has been placed under travel restrictions.

As you will know, over recent years the European Court of Human Rights has issued several decisions finding the Azerbaijani authorities responsible for violating the right to freedom of association. I urgently ask you to insist on full respect for, and protection of, the right to freedom of expression in your country.