24/04/2020 (Agence Europe) – The spokesperson for the European External Action Service described the decision of the Supreme Court of Azerbaijan on Friday 24 April to fully acquit the Chairman of the Alternative Republican Party, Ilgar Mammadov, and the human rights defender and member of the party's board of directors, Rasul Jafarov, as "a welcome step that finally fully implements the respective decisions of the European Court of Human Rights" (see EUROPE 12266/23). The judgement, handed down on Thursday 23 April, overturns the previous convictions of the two men. Azerbaijan must respect its international commitments and continue to implement the remaining decisions of the European Court of Human Rights, the spokesperson added. The spokesperson also warned that measures taken to fight COVID-19 should be limited to what is "strictly necessary, proportionate and temporary in nature, subject to regular scrutiny, and respect the principles of Rule of law, democracy and fundamental freedoms". (CG)