Alikram Hummatov
Encyclopedia
Alikram Hummatov or Ali Akram Hemmatzadeh (also spelled as Alikram Gummatov, b. 1948) is a Talysh
military and political activist of Azerbaijan
, the president of self-proclaimed Talysh-Mughan Autonomous Republic
in 1993, formerly prisoned in Azerbaijan
. He was considered as a political prisoner
by international organizations including Amnesty International
and Council of Europe
. After demands from the Council of Europe
, Hummatov was granted retrials, yet according to Human Rights Watch
report, the authorities conducted him inside prisons, and with procedural violations.
. He participated in different parties and was one of the founders of Popular Front of Azerbaijan. Hummatov, who was "seen by many Azeris as a dangerous separatist", was the leader of the self-declared Talysh-Mughan Autonomous Republic
which existed briefly in the south of Azerbaijan at a time of political instability in 1993.
. In an open letter to the president Ilham Aliyev
, Sidiki Kaba, the president of the International Federation of Human Rights
, wrote, that Hummatov and Qaziyez "are being held in Qobustan prison. Their prison system is very strict and sentences them to isolation. In fact, under the pretext of protecting their physical integrity, these two prisoners have been locked up alone, in closed cells at night, which prevents them from receiving medical assistance throughout the night in the case a problem should arise." In prison Hummatov fell ill with tuberculosis
, lost almost all the tooths. He was among those identified in 2001 by the Council of Europe
, as political prisoners who should either be released or retried. In 2004 Hummatov has been pardoned by president Aliev, was deprived by the Azerbaijani citizenship and sent to Holland where his family lives.
under Article 34 of the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms. On November 29, 2007 the court has sentenced the state of Azerbaijan to pay the applicant 12,000 Euro
s in respect of non-pecuniary damage and 2,090 euros in respect of costs and expenses.
Talysh
Talysh may refer to:*Talysh people*Talysh language*Talysh Khanate*Talysh-Mughan Autonomous Republic - a self-declared autonomy, which existed briefly in the south of Azerbaijan in 1993*Talysh Mountains*Talış, Agsu, Azerbaijan*Talış, Hajigabul, Azerbaijan...
military and political activist of Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan , officially the Republic of Azerbaijan is the largest country in the Caucasus region of Eurasia. Located at the crossroads of Western Asia and Eastern Europe, it is bounded by the Caspian Sea to the east, Russia to the north, Georgia to the northwest, Armenia to the west, and Iran to...
, the president of self-proclaimed Talysh-Mughan Autonomous Republic
Talysh-Mughan Autonomous Republic
The Talysh-Mughan Autonomous Republic was a short-lived self-proclaimed autonomous republic in Azerbaijan, that lasted from June to August 1993. It was located in extreme southeastern Azerbaijan, envisaging to consist in the 7 administrative districts of Azerbaijan around the regional capital city...
in 1993, formerly prisoned in Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan , officially the Republic of Azerbaijan is the largest country in the Caucasus region of Eurasia. Located at the crossroads of Western Asia and Eastern Europe, it is bounded by the Caspian Sea to the east, Russia to the north, Georgia to the northwest, Armenia to the west, and Iran to...
. He was considered as a political prisoner
Political prisoner
According to the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English, a political prisoner is ‘someone who is in prison because they have opposed or criticized the government of their own country’....
by international organizations including Amnesty International
Amnesty International
Amnesty International is an international non-governmental organisation whose stated mission is "to conduct research and generate action to prevent and end grave abuses of human rights, and to demand justice for those whose rights have been violated."Following a publication of Peter Benenson's...
and Council of Europe
Council of Europe
The Council of Europe is an international organisation promoting co-operation between all countries of Europe in the areas of legal standards, human rights, democratic development, the rule of law and cultural co-operation...
. After demands from the Council of Europe
Council of Europe
The Council of Europe is an international organisation promoting co-operation between all countries of Europe in the areas of legal standards, human rights, democratic development, the rule of law and cultural co-operation...
, Hummatov was granted retrials, yet according to Human Rights Watch
Human Rights Watch
Human Rights Watch is an international non-governmental organization that conducts research and advocacy on human rights. Its headquarters are in New York City and it has offices in Berlin, Beirut, Brussels, Chicago, Geneva, Johannesburg, London, Los Angeles, Moscow, Paris, San Francisco, Tokyo,...
report, the authorities conducted him inside prisons, and with procedural violations.
Biography
Hummatov finished Polytechnic Institute of BakuBaku
Baku , sometimes spelled as Baki or Bakou, is the capital and largest city of Azerbaijan, as well as the largest city on the Caspian Sea and of the Caucasus region. It is located on the southern shore of the Absheron Peninsula, which projects into the Caspian Sea. The city consists of two principal...
. He participated in different parties and was one of the founders of Popular Front of Azerbaijan. Hummatov, who was "seen by many Azeris as a dangerous separatist", was the leader of the self-declared Talysh-Mughan Autonomous Republic
Talysh-Mughan Autonomous Republic
The Talysh-Mughan Autonomous Republic was a short-lived self-proclaimed autonomous republic in Azerbaijan, that lasted from June to August 1993. It was located in extreme southeastern Azerbaijan, envisaging to consist in the 7 administrative districts of Azerbaijan around the regional capital city...
which existed briefly in the south of Azerbaijan at a time of political instability in 1993.
Imprisonment
In 1995 Hummatov was sentenced to death by the Azerbaijani court, later commuted to life imprisonment, on a range of charges including treasonTreason
In law, treason is the crime that covers some of the more extreme acts against one's sovereign or nation. Historically, treason also covered the murder of specific social superiors, such as the murder of a husband by his wife. Treason against the king was known as high treason and treason against a...
. In an open letter to the president Ilham Aliyev
Ilham Aliyev
Ilham Heydar oglu Aliyev is the President of Azerbaijan since 2003. He also functions as the Chairman of the New Azerbaijan Party and the head of the National Olympic Committee...
, Sidiki Kaba, the president of the International Federation of Human Rights
International Federation of Human Rights
The International Federation for Human Rights is a non-governmental federation for human rights organizations. Founded in 1922, FIDH is the oldest international human rights organisation worldwide and today brings together 164 member organisations in over 100 countries.FIDH is nonpartisan,...
, wrote, that Hummatov and Qaziyez "are being held in Qobustan prison. Their prison system is very strict and sentences them to isolation. In fact, under the pretext of protecting their physical integrity, these two prisoners have been locked up alone, in closed cells at night, which prevents them from receiving medical assistance throughout the night in the case a problem should arise." In prison Hummatov fell ill with tuberculosis
Tuberculosis
Tuberculosis, MTB, or TB is a common, and in many cases lethal, infectious disease caused by various strains of mycobacteria, usually Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Tuberculosis usually attacks the lungs but can also affect other parts of the body...
, lost almost all the tooths. He was among those identified in 2001 by the Council of Europe
Council of Europe
The Council of Europe is an international organisation promoting co-operation between all countries of Europe in the areas of legal standards, human rights, democratic development, the rule of law and cultural co-operation...
, as political prisoners who should either be released or retried. In 2004 Hummatov has been pardoned by president Aliev, was deprived by the Azerbaijani citizenship and sent to Holland where his family lives.
Hummatov's VS. Azerbaijan case at European Court
After emigrating to Holland, Hummatov made two applications against the Republic of Azerbaijan to the European CourtEuropean Court
European Court could mean:* the European Court of Justice , an institution of the European Union for the resolution of disputes under EU law, based in Luxembourg....
under Article 34 of the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms. On November 29, 2007 the court has sentenced the state of Azerbaijan to pay the applicant 12,000 Euro
Euro
The euro is the official currency of the eurozone: 17 of the 27 member states of the European Union. It is also the currency used by the Institutions of the European Union. The eurozone consists of Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg,...
s in respect of non-pecuniary damage and 2,090 euros in respect of costs and expenses.