"Azerbaijan: UN Working Group concerned at situation of human rights defenders", 28 Aug 2014

…The UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights has expressed grave concern at restrictions on human rights defenders and non-governmental organisations working on issues of business and human rights in Azerbaijan. The comments came after ISHR called on the Working Group to ensure that 'the situation and protection of human rights defenders' was 'the key priority' during the Group's first-ever mission to Azerbaijan…In a statement…the Working Group said, 'It is a matter of concern that a number of prominent civil society actors were placed in pre-trial detention just before our visit…”...Welcoming the Working Group's statement, ISHR's Michael Ineichen said, 'In Azerbaijan and many other countries, human rights defenders face grave risks for their work to promote corporate responsibility and accountability. We urge the Working Group to ensure a strong focus on the situation of human rights defenders in…all…aspects of its mandate…”…