Changes from resolution motion to resolution motion joint

AddedC. whereas Ilhamiz Guliyev, a human rights defender, was arbitrarily arrested on 4 December 2023 on dubious accusations of drug trafficking after he testified as whistleblower about the police tampering with evidence against government critics; whereas he is facing up to 12 years in prison;

RemovedStrongly condemns the detentions of those imprisoned for exercising their human rights, including Gubad Ibadoghlu and of Ilhamiz Guliyev; calls for their immediate release;

Added1. Urges Azerbaijan to immediately and unconditionally release Ilhamiz Guliyev; notes that Gubad Ibadoghlu has been released and placed under house arrest and calls on the authorities to lift the travel ban and drop all charges against him; calls on Azerbaijan to urgently ensure that he receives an independent medical examination by a doctor of his own choosing and to allow him to receive treatment abroad;

RemovedPending his release, calls on Azerbaijani authorities to provide Ibadoghlu with necessary medical treatment and care, including independent medical examinations, and to ensure his protection from torture and other ill-treatment;

Added2. Urges Azerbaijan to immediately and unconditionally release all other political prisoners, including Tofig Yagublu, Akif Gurbanov, Bakhtiyar Hajiyev, human rights defenders and journalists Ulvi Hasanli, Sevinj Vagifgizi, Nargiz Absalamova, Hafiz Babali, Elnara Gasimova, Aziz Orujov, Rufat Muradli, Avaz Zeynalli, Elnur Shukurov, Alasgar Mammadli, Farid Ismayilov, as well as EU and other nationals;

RemovedCalls on Azerbaijan to end the retaliation against the opposition, and to protect the human rights of its citizens, in consistence with its national and international human rights obligations; among others, calls on the Azerbaijani authorities to respect the human right to a fair trial, and to conduct prompt and independent investigations into the allegations of ill-treatment and torture in detention; calls for those responsible to be held accountable;

Added3. Reminds the Azerbaijani authorities of their obligations to respect human dignity and fundamental freedoms and calls on them to repeal repressive legislation that drives independent non-governmental organisations and media to the margins of the law;

RemovedCalls on the Azerbaijani authorities to ensure, in law and in practice, a free and safe environment for the peaceful exercise of the rights to freedom of expression, assembly and association on its territory, including for civil society organisations, human rights activists and journalists;

Added4. Considers that the ongoing human rights violations in Azerbaijan are incompatible with the country’s preparations to host COP29; demands that the organisers ensure that human rights, fundamental freedoms and effective civil society participation are fully enshrined and guaranteed in the Host Country Agreement;

RemovedStrongly regrets the fact that the President of the European Council, Charles Michel, congratulated Ilham Aliyev on his re-election as the president of Azerbaijan;

Added5. Calls on the Commission to consider suspending the strategic partnership with Azerbaijan in the field of energy; insists on making any future partnership agreement conditional on the release of all political prisoners and the improvement of the overall human rights situation in the country;

RemovedReiterates its call on the Commission to immediately suspend the Memorandum of Understanding on a Strategic Partnership in the Field of Energy between the EU and Azerbaijan;

Added6. Calls on the EU Special Representative for Human Rights to request meetings with political prisoners in Azerbaijan;

RemovedInstructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, and the Government of Azerbaijan.

Added7. Reiterates its call for EU sanctions under its global human rights sanctions regime to be imposed on Azerbaijani officials who have committed serious human rights violations;