Famous Azerbaijani pulic representatives appeal for release of Haji Sardar Hajihasanli

We, who undersigned this appeal, declare our deep concern about the arrest of prominent cleric, well-known theologian and “Maide.az” website editor Haji Sardar Hajihasanli.   Although our country’s laws allow congregational worship, Haji Sardar Hajihasanli was arrested for doing this worship. According to the articles 48.II, 71.II, 71.IV, 7.1V of the Constitution, everyone has right to do worship individually or together with others, has the right to manifest and to disseminate his convictions concerning to religion, no one may restrict implementation of rights and liberties of a human and citizen, no one can be prosecuted for the disclosure of religion, conscience, thought and belief.  Besides this, freedom of religious beliefs and the right of collective worship clearly confirmed by UN International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) (Article 18), UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights (Article 18), European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms (Article 9) which the Azerbaijan government joined.    Haji Sardar Hajihasanli did not encroach anyone’s right, did not disrupt public order. Additionally, it was known that Haji Sardar Hajihasanli was invited to Friday Pray by official cleric of the region.      We are definitely confident that the arrest of Haji Sardar Hajihasanli  is an unreasonable and false step. At the same time, is a disrespect to our national and spiritual values. We consider the arrest of Haji Sardar Hajihasanli as a violation of human rights and fundamental freedoms and assess the actions against him as a persecution.   We call on relevant authorities to immediately release Haji Sardar Hajihasanli.   1. Haji Ilgar Ibrahimoghlu – the chairman of DEVAMM  2. Akif Nagi – the chairman of Karabakh Liberation Organization 3. Arif Hajili – the chairman of Equality Party  4. Aygun Muradkhanli – well-known journalist 5. Azer Gasimli - REAL movement coordinator 6. Azer Rashidoghlu– political commentator, journalist and publicist 7. Eldaniz Guliyev – the chairman of Azerbaijani Intellectuals Movement 8. Ellada Mammadli – public and political figure 9. Elshan Hasanov – director of Monitoring Center for Political Prisoners 10. Adalat Usubov – public and political figure 11. Ali Kerimli – the chairman of Azerbaijan Popular Front Party 12. Esabeli Mustafayev – advocate, the head of “Democracy and Human Rights” organization 13. Avaz Hasanov – director of the Public Association for Humanistic Studies 14. Gozal Bayramli – the deputy chairman of Azerbaijan Popular Front Party 15. Gulaga Aslanli – public and political figure, doctor of physical and mathematical sciences 16. Haji Ilham Aliyev – an acting chairman of Azerbaijan Islamic Party  17. Hikmet Hajizade – the cahirman of Finance Research Center 18. Khalid Agaliyev - advocate 19. Khadija Ismayil - a well-known journalist, researcher 20. Ikram Israfil - former MP 21. Igbal Agazade - the chairman of Azerbaijan Hope Party 22. Intigam Aliyev – the chairman of Legal Education Society  23. Isa Gambar – the chairman of the National Center of Strategic Thinking 24. Kamran Mahmudov - independent journalist 25. Gadir Ibrahimli - economic commentator, journalist 26. Gubad Ibadoglu – the chairman of the Center for Public Initiatives 27. Leyla Aliyeva - political scientist 28. Mehman Aliyev - "Turan" news agency director 29. Mehriban Vazir - writer and publicist 30. Mirvari Qəhrəmanlı – the head of the “Oil Workers Rights Protection Organization” Public Union  31. Murtaza Bunyatli - journalist and publicist 32. Namizad Səfərov – public and political figure, advocate 33. Natig Jafarli - economist-expert 34. Nemat Aliyev - economist, analyst 35. Niyazi Mehdi - professor, philosopher 36. Novella Jafaroglu – chairperson of the Society for Protection of Women Rights named after Dilara Aliyeva 37. Panah Huseyn - Former Prime Minister 38. Rasul Jafarov - chairman of the Human Rights Club 39. Rashid Hajili - Head of the Media Rights Institute 40. Rovshan Ahmadli – Chairman of the Islamic Resistance Movement for Karabakh 41. Ruslan Izzatli – Head of the D18 Movement 42. Samir Asadli – The head of the Executive Committee of CSP 43. Samir Kazimli – a human rights activist, journalist 44. Sevil Yuzbasheva – Director of “Eco-World” Public Union 45. Saida Gojamanli – Head of the Bureau of Human Rights and Protection of the Rule of Law 46. Shahin Rzayev – a well-known journalist 47. Shahvalad Chobanoghlu - a well-known journalist, publicist 48. Tofig Turkel - journalist, political analyst 49. Tural Abbasli – Chairman of the "White Party"  50. Turgut Gambar – A member of the Board Of NIDA Civil Movement 51. Vahid Maharramov  – Economic Research Center organization expert 52. Vidadi Mirkamal - public and political figure, Justice General 53. Yadigar Sadigov –  Adviso of Equal Party chairman 54. Zamin Haji – well-known journalist 55. Zaur Akbar – A head of The Youth Atlantic Treaty Association 56. Zardusht Alizadeh – political analyst, politician 57. Zohrab Ismayil - The head of the Assistance to Free Economy Public Association