On arbitrary arrest and sentencing of academics Bahruz Samadov and Igbal Abilov in Azerbaijan.

B100581/2025

European Parliament resolution on arbitrary arrest and sentencing of academics Bahruz Samadov and Igbal Abilov in Azerbaijan.

(2025/3028(RSP))

The European Parliament,

having regard to its previous resolutions on Azerbaijan,

having regard to Rule 150 (5) of its Rules of Procedure,

whereas Azerbaijan continues to face challenges in ensuring full protection of fundamental freedoms, including freedom of expression and academic freedom, and has been the subject of criticism regarding its treatment of political activists, journalists and civil society, whereas these issues risk distancing Azerbaijan from democratic norms and international human rights standards; whereas concerns about the independence of the judiciary persist, while government authorities have been accused of measures that may limit dissent and persecute critics;

whereas Bahruz Samadov and Igbal Abilov have been held detained for over a year, on charges connected to their academic work;

whereas political analyst and PhD candidate Samadov has been charged with high treason and sentenced to 15 years in prison in connection with public criticism of political developments and military actions in Azerbaijan and for advocating peace with Armenia;

whereas Abilov’s specialised academic research on ethnic minorities of the South Caucasus has reportedly been used to accuse him of high treason, of issuing foreign-instructed anti-state appeals and of incitement to hatred, despite the lack of substantial evidence;

whereas the arrest and prosecution of Abilov and Samadov raised concerns that academic research and calls for peaceful dialogue could be interpreted as acts of high treason, potentially leading to the undue criminalisation of legitimate scholarly activity and civic engagement;

whereas concerns have been raised regarding the potentially broad application of national security legislation in ways that could restrict and punish the exercise of freedom of expression and academic freedom in Azerbaijan; whereas such legislation appears to affect individuals engaged in peaceful critique of public policies;

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Calls on Azerbaijan to immediately review the criminal proceedings against Igbal Abilov and Bahruz Samadov, and release them without delay;

Calls on Azerbaijan to refrain from practices that could treat academic research, peaceful government criticism and advocacy for peace and civil rights as threats to national security, and to ensure that scholars are able to conduct their work free from intimidation;

Underlines the importance for Azerbaijan of aligning its legislation with international human-rights standards to help ensure academic freedom, cultural rights and freedom of expression for all;

Encourages Azerbaijan to continue aligning its practices with the principles outlined in its constitution and international commitments, by safeguarding fundamental freedoms and the dignity of all citizens, and by ensuring that criminal proceedings are not perceived as being directed toward government critics or members of civil society;

Calls on the EU Delegation in Baku to monitor the aforementioned cases and invites the EU to further support efforts to promote human rights and democratic governance in Azerbaijan;

Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Government and Parliament of Azerbaijan.