It is therefore with particular interest that we are following the progress through the court systems of a petition submitted to the Cabinet of Ministers on behalf of lawyers practicing law in Azerbaijan on the basis of licenses authorized by the Ministry of Justice. We understand that the Constitutional Court is currently considering a request for clarification on a point of law referred to it by the Supreme Court of the Republic of Azerbaijan. That request comes in reference to efforts to determine the legality of a letter of December 1, 1998, from the Minister of Justice, which imposes certain restrictions on the legal profession in Azerbaijan.

In light of a series of attempts on the part of the Ministry of Justice and other branches of government to impose undue burdens and limitations on lawyers’ ability to practice law freely, we are eager to learn of your Court’s ruling. We believe it will have important implications for all attorneys and potential attorneys in Azerbaijan and thus for human rights protection in general. We would be pleased to provide you with information documenting government-sponsored infringements on the rights and professional prerogatives of lawyers in Azerbaijan, if you request.

We write to respectfully urge the Constitutional Court to bear in mind the standards for legal professionals set out in the UN Basic Principles for the Role of Lawyers, as well as the international human rights laws from which the Principles were derived, such as the Universal Declaration on Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and to render a just and impartial decision in this case.

Thank you in advance for your consideration.

Sincerely,