Lawyer Osman Kazimov: "There is no pressure or influence on me under the current leadership"

During last few days, a report on the harassment of lawyers in Azerbaijan has been spread and photos have been published. My photo was there as well. This news caused anxiety to my relatives, friends and people that I provided legal aid to. In this regard, I consider it necessary to state the following.

I have always been open to the public, criticized the shortcomings and applauded the work. I maintain that position today. I have never allowed prejudice in my thoughts. I have supported every activity that I consider acceptable for the benefit of the state and people. As soon as the Karabakh war broke out, I supported the government and voluntarily applied to join the fighting.

Despite the fact that I was illegally involved in advocacy in 2011, the only source of income for the family, I had three minor children in my custody, and despite being an IDP, I was asked to be expelled from the Bar. I left work for six months. My family was left to its devices. However, despite all these illegalities, I have not applied to any foreign organization. I only attended meetings at the invitation of the US Embassy. During the judicial proceedings, I appealed to the Minister of Justice, Fikrat Mammadov, to take control of the process and ensure an objective judicial proceeding.
Later I found out that the judge in charge of the case was summoned to the Ministry of Justice and the information about the case was heard. As a result, the mandate was restored. All this happened during the previous administration, it turned into a bitter memory of the past.

There is no pressure or influence on me during the current leadership. I have not faced lawlessness. I was not even criticized for harsh criticism of the government. I do not consider it normal to share information and photos without asking for my opinion. In the current sensitive situation, I consider such information as an attempt to overshadow the reputation of our state. Unfortunately, sometimes minor shortcomings are exaggerated and used for biased purposes. I consider it biased and purposeful to share the injustice done to me 9 years ago. I see it as pressure on my state for the sensitive post-war period. Recently, for some reason, the conditions of our citizens, especially young people, with unintentional jobs in the Bar Association remains behind the scenes.
Today, no one should forget that the Azerbaijani advocacy is fighting against lawlessness. I have been living as an IDP lawyer for 27 years. My homeland was destroyed by Armenian fascism. Unfortunately, some self-proclaimed democracies and international organizations have not only ignored the tragedy of the lives of me and dozens of displaced lawyers like me, but have also defended an aggressor state that has committed war crimes.

I am with my state.

Osman Kazimov

Member of the Azerbaijani Bar Association