Most trade unions belong to the state-run Azerbaijani Labor Federation. There is no effective collective bargaining system, and unions do not participate in determining wage levels. The judiciary, which does not function independently of the executive branch, is inefficient and corrupt. The president appoints supreme and constitutional court judges, subject to parliamentary approval, as well as lower-level judges. Detainees are often held for long periods of time before trials, and their access to evidence and lawyers is restricted.
Corruption is rampant, with bribes frequently demanded for a suspect s release.
Police abuse of suspects during arrest and interrogation is reportedly widespread. According to a recent Human Rights Watch report, no judge ruled as inadmissible testimony obtained through torture in 20 cases investigated by the human rights organization. In a January revolt at the Gobestan prison, a group of prisoners seized hostages and demanded transportation to escape. Eleven prisoners were reportedly shot when Interior Ministry troops stormed the facility. In a positive development, a Soviet-era law allowing courts to confiscate the property of individuals convicted of many crimes was declared unconstitutional in June.