On Azerbaijan, notably the repression of civil society and the cases of Dr Gubad Ibadoghlu and Ilhamiz GuliyevTXTTITLE@TITLE@

B90230/2024

Motion for a European Parliament resolution on Azerbaijan, notably the repression of civil society and the cases of Dr Gubad Ibadoghlu and Ilhamiz GuliyevTXTTITLE@TITLE@

(2024/2698(RSP))

The European Parliament,

– having regard to Rule 144 of its Rules of Procedure,

whereas, Dr. Gubad Ibadoghlu, economist and political activist, was detained in July 2023 on politically-motivated charges and faces up to 12 years imprisonment; whereas he suffers from a serious medical condition and requires immediate care;

whereas Ilhamiz Guliyev, a whistle-blower and human rights defender who has been in pre-trial detention on politically-motivated charges since his arrest by ununiformed police on 4 December 2023, faces up to 12 years imprisonment following an interview he gave to persecuted independent news agency Abzas Media;

whereas since November 2023 over a dozen of independent journalists and human rights defenders have been detained on bogus charges, completely stifling Azerbaijani civil society;

whereas many international and domestic human rights activists and organisations have called on the international community to recognize and respond to the urgency and gravity of the situation in Azerbaijan;

whereas Azerbaijan was suspended from PACE in part due to its lack of respect for human rights;

Strongly condemns the politically-motivated detention and prosecution of Dr. Ibadoghlu and human rights defender Ilhamiz Guliyev and urges the government of Azerbaijan to ensure their immediate and unconditional release and that of all others detained on politically-motivated charges, including Aziz Orujov, Rufat Muradli, Tofig Yagublu, and human rights defenders Ulvi Hasanli, Sevinj Vagifgizi, Nargiz Absalamova, Hafiz Babali and Elnara Gasimova;

Expresses relief at the news that Dr. Ibadoghlu was recently released into house arrest; calls on Azerbaijan to drop all charges against him; calls on Azerbaijan to urgently ensure an independent medical examination by a doctor of his own choosing, and allow him to receive treatment abroad;

Is extremely alarmed by the catastrophic repression of all critical voices in Azerbaijan; underlines that this latest crackdown focuses on independent journalists and human rights defenders; deplores that Azerbaijan's few remaining CSOs and independent media have halted their work out of fear of further arrests;

Deplores that the Commission continues to refer to Azerbaijan as a "reliable energy partner"; considers it imperative that the MoU on a Strategic Partnership in the Field of Energy with Azerbaijan is immediately suspended, as relying on the Aliyev regime to address energy needs is morally reprehensible and politically unsustainable;

Urges the Commission and Member States to meaningfully address human rights and the plight of political prisoners in Azerbaijan, in the context of COP 29; calls on the UNFCCC, all Parties and the Azerbaijani authorities to ensure equitable access to COP29 and full and unrestricted participation for all citizens and civil society organisations; calls for strong measures by the UNFCCC to protect delegates and participants from harassment and intimidation at COP29;

Calls on the EU to follow example of the US Congress in proposing sanctions on Azerbaijani officials over human rights violations, arrests, and war;

Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the VP/HR, the Council, the Commission, the Member States, and to the President and Parliament of Azerbaijan.