During the past week, many Azerbaijani activists were taken into custody during the traditional Babek Castle march; many faced persecution and threats from the security forces. There was information that detained activists were severely tortured.

Student associations and organizations in Azerbaijan have issued a joint declaration on this issue, announcing the objection that national cultural activists are held by security forces against human rights by the protesters.

In the declaration, Article 27 of the Constitution states; “The people have the right to convene and demonstrate unarmed with the condition that they are not in contradiction with Islamic values.”

“Our country, Azerbaijan is always the center of movements and social change. The Revolution of Modern History can be portrayed as evidence in the Democratic Party of Azerbaijan after the Movement of Sheikh Muhammad Hiyabani and the 1979 Revolution.

Today, the socio-political processes in Azerbaijan are based on a culture like a claim to the past.

Student associations have said that in recent days Babak Castle has been taken into custody and subjected to numerous national and cultural preventive measures aimed at participating in the rally. Until today, security agencies and government officials have not commented on this and did not explain what activists were being held for.

In the context, mass media, intelligentsia, members of parliament, especially the president of the country, were condemned for being silent on this issue. In this context, the rights of ethnic minorities, human rights, constitutionality and so on. It is said that Iran, which is mentioned as such, does not validate these issues for the Azerbaijani population.

“The Azerbaijani Student Movement condemns this behavior by supporting national-cultural activists and demands that the detained activists be released unconditionally.”

The statement also reiterated the life and health responsibilities of the detained activists. Government is responsible before the Azerbaijani community if activists are injured.

The description is distributed by the following associations, organizations and publishers:

– Tebriz University Azerbaijan Studies Association

– Azerbaijan Martyrs Culture University Poetry and Literature Association

– Maragha University Azerbaijan Studies Association

– Association of Thought and Culture of Azerbaijan Cultural University

– Zencan University Workers’ Art and Culture Association

– Zencan University Islamic Student Association

– Hamadan Medical University Master Şehriyar Islamic Student Institution

– Urmiye University Poetry and Literature Association

– Binab University Poetry and Literature Association

-Hatayi Association of Muhakkik Erdebil University

– Tabriz Azad University’s “Open Word” Student Club

– Zencan University’s Cognitive Student Club

– Tebriz “Peyam Nur” University Reading Student Club

– Urmia University Vatan Student Publications

– Urmia University Road Student Publications