Prisoners of Conscience 2019: Political Prisoners from East and Southeast Europe

Every year hundreds of people around the world are wrongfully imprisoned for no other reason than being critical of those in power. In some countries such as Azerbaijan, Turkey, and Russia, human rights advocates, opposition leaders, journalists, activists and others have been targets of persecution and crackdowns on critical voices. They have become prisoners of conscience.

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Download now the full report "Prisoners of Conscience: Political Prisoners from East and Southeast Europe".   Raising awareness is crucial, as one political prisoner is one too many.

The Regional Office of Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom for East and Southeast Europe decided to shed light on the plight of political prisoners in the region by profiling six current and former political prisoners:  Ahmet Altan (Turkey), Nazli Ilicak (Turkey), Afgan Mukhtarli (Azerbaijan), Gozel Bayramli (Azerbaijan), Anastasia Shevchenko (Russia), Roman Sushchenko (Ukraine).

Why we care?

The Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom (FNF) is a German liberal organization promoting freedom and responsibility worldwide. The rule of law and human rights are central to our mission and our values. We support like-minded organizations and individuals who share an interest in liberal politics and subscribe to our basic values, both in Germany and throughout the world. We consult, inspire and motivate leaders, and we identify, develop and market innovative freedom themes for tomorrow and beyond. For more than 60 years now, FNF with offices in more than 60 countries, has aspired to be the freedom platform for all liberal minded people worldwide.

“Being committed to freedom means being committed to human rights.” says Sabine Leutheusser-Schnarrenberger, Deputy Chair of the Management Board of FNF and former German Federal Minister of Justice.

As human rights are jeopardized around the globe, we as liberals cannot remain silent. Thus, we strive to defend and support people, who stand up for human rights personally or professionally. Every year hundreds of people around the world are wrongfully imprisoned for no other reason than being critical of those in power. In some countries such as Azerbaijan, Turkey, and Russia, human rights advocates, opposition leaders, journalists, activists and others have been targets of persecution and crackdowns on critical voices. They have become prisoners of conscience.

It is our hope that this report will contribute to raising the importance of this vital issue. We also want to encourage our readers to take direct action. Write to your elected political representatives, ask political parties and governments what they do to address the suffering of persons deprived of their personal liberty because of their political, religious or other beliefs. Support human rights organizations such as Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch and other human rights organizations or create your own action group. The world of social media offers a plethora of opportunities to advance freedom and human rights in every corner of the world. Help to promote freedom, help to defend human rights.

Dr. Rainer Adam

Regional Director, Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom for East and Southeast Europe

Prisoners of Conscience in Focus

Download the report now. Find out more from the following profiles of political prisoners below: