Country Expert Witness on Azerbaijan and Post-Soviet Countries: Providing Expert Witness Reports for Asylum Applicants from Azerbaijan

Problems with human rights violations and political repression in Azerbaijan

Hello, esteemed colleagues! This video is addressed to law firms representing the interests of asylum seekers from Azerbaijan. My name is Maxim Kharitonov, and I specialize in preparing expert reports for asylum seekers. In this video, I will discuss how I approach the analysis of the situation in Azerbaijan, highlight key issues of human rights violations, and explain why the expert report plays a crucial role in asylum cases.

What is an Expert Witness Report?
As you may know, an expert witness report is an independent analytical document used to substantiate facts, justify risks, and assess the situation in the applicant's country of origin. Its purpose is to demonstrate that the applicant faces a real threat of persecution in their country and cannot return there.

Why is an Expert Witness Report Essential?
An expert witness report is crucial at every stage of the asylum process:

At the application stage: It helps establish the applicant's personal risks and their connection to the general situation in their country of origin.
At the appeal stage: If the application has been denied, the report can be used for a detailed analysis of the immigration authority's decision, identifying errors, and providing additional evidence.

Key Functions of an Expert Witness Report:

Contextual Analysis: Confirms the broader situation in the country, including political instability, repression, and conflict, citing both international and local sources.
Personal Risk Assessment: Demonstrates the connection between the applicant's individual threats and the conditions in their country.
Strengthening the Evidence Base: Verifies that the applicant belongs to a vulnerable group facing persecution.
Support with Credible Sources: References authoritative organizations such as Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, the United Nations, and others, formatted according to the OSCOLA standard.

Country Witness Expert on Russia and Post-Soviet Countries
Preparation of expert witness reports for asylum applicants from Russia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan.

About Me
My name is Maksim Kharitonov, and I am an expert on human rights, political repression, and social violations in post-Soviet countries. My work focuses on providing objective and professional expert witness reports for asylum applicants in countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and European Union states. I specialize in analyzing and presenting evidence that substantiates risks of persecution in former Soviet Union countries.

My Achievements:

Over 100 successful expert witness reports prepared for asylum applicants from post-Soviet countries, including Russia, Belarus, Tajikistan, Ukraine, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan, at both the appeal and initial application stages.
Collaboration with leading law firms in the United States and the United Kingdom, providing reports that have served as key evidence for successful asylum decisions.
Recipient of the Expert Witness Awards 2024 in the category of "Best Expert on Immigration Issues."
Extensive knowledge of the legal and political landscape in post-Soviet countries, enabling me to objectively assess risks of political persecution, human rights violations, and other safety concerns for applicants.
Recognized as a trusted expert in human rights and political repression, listed in the expert witness database for immigration and judicial processes (EIN): https://www.ein.org.uk/experts/kharitonov.

Having personally gone through the asylum process, I deeply understand how important it is to present a complete and credible picture to the court.
If you are looking for a professional expert on political asylum cases from post-Soviet countries, my services will help you prepare a strong and compelling case for your clients.

On Human Rights Violations in Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan faces a number of systemic human rights violations:

Political Repression: Opposition activists, journalists, and bloggers face arrests, interrogations, and persecution.
Freedom of Speech: There is pressure on independent media, blocking of online resources, and the closure of organizations critical of the government.
Torture and Inhuman Treatment: Detainees often face violence, blackmail, and threats in police stations.
Religious Persecution: Members of religious minorities experience discrimination, raids, and restrictions on the public practice of their faith.
Corruption in the Legal System: Judicial decisions are often influenced by the ruling elite, making access to fair justice impossible.
LGBT Issues: Members of the LGBT community face discrimination, violence, and criminal prosecution.
Internal Relocation Issues: Relocation to another region is not a solution due to the effective control authorities have over citizens' movements.

In my report, I provide a detailed breakdown of all aspects with references to sources, conclusions, and recommendations.

How I Work on Reports about Azerbaijan

I typically prepare expert reports based on instructions received from major legal firms in the UK and the US. The typical range of issues they ask me to address includes:

An overview of the current political climate in Azerbaijan, including the position of the opposition.
How the authorities treat civil activists and independent journalists.
What risks do applicants from religious minorities face?
The state of access to fair justice in the context of corruption.
What can members of the LGBT community expect in Azerbaijan?
Internal relocation opportunities: how safe and feasible are they for applicants?
What threats do those who publicly criticize the government face?

How I Create an Expert Report

1. Reviewing the Applicant's Documents
The creation of an expert report begins with a thorough review of all documents provided by the applicant. These may include personal statements, evidence of persecution, interview records, and rejection decisions. The goal of this stage is to identify key facts and pieces of evidence that need to be strengthened to substantiate the applicant’s risk.

2. Researching the Situation in the Country of Origin
The next step is to analyze the situation in the applicant’s country of origin. I use reliable international and local sources to gather up-to-date information on the political, social, and legal situation in the country. It is important to establish the connection between the overall situation in the country and the applicant's personal history.

3. Preparing Justifications
Based on the collected data, I assess the risks that the applicant may face if returned to their country. Each conclusion is supported by references to verified sources, which makes the report objective and credible.

4. Adherence to Standards
Special attention is given to compliance with expert report preparation standards. All my reports follow the Practical Directions of the Upper Tribunal on expert evidence. Each document includes a statement of truth, confirming that the data is based on reliable sources, and the opinions expressed are my professional judgments.

5. Objectivity and Independence
My conclusions remain independent of the outcome of the case, ensuring the objectivity of the report. I confirm the accuracy of the facts presented and the correctness of the conclusions drawn. If necessary, I am available to testify in court and provide witness statements on the situation in the applicant's country of origin.

My Specialization
I work not only with applicants from Azerbaijan but also from other countries in the post-Soviet space, including Armenia, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan.
Each case is unique, and I approach the preparation of reports by considering all individual factors. This allows my clients to confidently present their case in courts and immigration authorities.

How to Order a Report?
If your clients require an expert report, please contact me at info@thehuman-rights.com. Reports can be paid for through Legal Aid, making them free of charge for applicants whose cases are supported by government legal assistance. Flexible payment terms are available for private requests.

Conclusion
An expert report is not just a document; it is a crucial tool that can determine the successful outcome of a case. My task is to objectively analyze the current situation, establish the connection between the general conditions in the country and the applicant's personal history, and provide the court and immigration authorities with all necessary evidence to make a fair decision.

Спасибо за внимание, и до скорого сотрудничества!

Maksim Kharitonov

Expert on the countries: Russia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan.

Specializes in preparing expert witness reports for asylum applicants, analyzing human rights and political repression in the CIS countries. Works with leading law firms in the USA, UK, and Europe.
✉️ Order an expert report: info@thehuman-rights.com
Migration System Profile:
► https://www.ein.org.uk/experts/kharitonov
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