Repressions in Azerbaijan: civic observers unable to monitor municipal elections on 23 December 2014

Azerbaijani civic observer organization Election Monitoring and Democracy Studies Center (EMDS) is concerned about the ongoing violations of human rights and the crackdown on civil society and opposition political parties. The systematic restriction of political freedoms, particularly, freedom of expression, assembly and association observed prior to the Municipal Elections to be held on 23 December 2014, does not allow for the establishment of democratic environment necessary for holding free and fair elections in Azerbaijan.

Therefore, EMDS will not carry out long-term and short-term observation of the 2014 Municipal Elections.

See the full EMDS statement here: PDF (EN)