Azer Qasimov, the head of the president’s press service, drew attention to recent violence in Ferguson where a black teenager was shot dead by a white policeman.

 

In an interview with pro-government APA news agency on Dec. 11, Qasimov said the world was "shocked” by reports of torture of terrorist suspects by the US Central Intelligence Agency.   

"While the US Department of State is turning a blind eye to violations of human rights in its own country, it is spreading biased and false information about developments in other countries, including Azerbaijan,” Qasimov said.

The presidential spokesman also rejected the criticism of Azerbaijan’s human rights situation by European countries.

"At a time when human rights are violated, fascism trends are on the rise, and attacks on multiculturalism are increasing, representatives from European structures are trying to divert attention from these problems,” he said.

Jen Psaki, a spokeswoman for the Department of State, had earlier expressed concern about the arrest and pretrial detention of Azerbaijani journalist Khadija Ismayilova.

 

"We’re deeply troubled by increased restrictions on civil society activities, including on journalists, in Azerbaijan,” she said in a statement. "We are increasingly concerned that the government is not living up to its international human rights commitments and obligations.”