On Azerbaijan, notably the repression of civil society and the cases of Dr Gubad Ibadoghlu and Ilhamiz Guliyev

B90232/2024

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

(2024/2698(RSP))

The European Parliament,

having regard to its previous resolutions on Azerbaijan,

having regard to Rules 144(5) and 132(4) of its Rules of Procedure,

A. whereas there is a permanent intensification of repression by the Azerbaijani authorities against the media, civil society and activists legitimately carrying out their work or expressing dissenting views, through detentions and judicial harassment; whereas credible independent organizations currently list up to 288 political prisoners in Azerbaijan;

B. whereas Gubad Ibadoghlu, a political economist and opposition figure, was arrested by Azerbaijani authorities in July 2023 and has remained in detention until 22 April 2024, when he was transferred to house arrest;

C. whereas there has been a rapid deterioration in Dr Ibadoghlu's health and the Azerbaijani authorities have refused to provide him with necessary independent medical care;

D. whereas Ilhamiz Guliyev, a former police officer turned human rights activist, was arbitrarily arrested on 4 December 2023 on unfounded charges and suffered torture during his detention; whereas his arrest was based on dubious accusations of drug trafficking after he testified as whistle-blower about police tampering with evidence against government critics, facing a possible sentence of up to twelve years in prison;

1. Calls on the government of Azerbaijan to take decisive steps to ensure full respect of its human rights obligations and to create a conducive environment for journalists, civil society, independent media and human rights defenders, ensuring their right to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly;

2. Demands the immediate release of all political prisoners, journalists and activists imprisoned for carrying out their legitimate work or expressing dissenting opinions and the dropping of political charges against them;

3. Demands dropping all charges against Gubad Ibadoghlu and lifting his house arrest and travel ban; urges the need to ensure his immediate access to medical treatment including abroad; insist that an urgent medical intervention be provided for Dr Ibadoghlu by a doctor of his own choosing to address his precarious health situation;

4. Deeply regrets the arrest of Ilhamiz Guliyev and demands his immediate release; calls for an independent investigation into the alleged fabrication of drug charges by the police against government critics;

5. Against the backdrop of the upcoming COP29 to be hosted in Baku, calls on the organisers to ensure that human rights, fundamental freedoms and effective civil society participation are fully enshrined and guaranteed in the Host Country Agreement; believes that failure to do so would further damage Azerbaijan's reputation before a global audience;

6. Urges the Commission, the EEAS and the Member States to closely monitor the human rights situation in Azerbaijan and condition the EU’s cooperation with it, including in the energy sector, on the release of all political prisoners and the improvement of the overall human rights situation in the country;

7. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Members States, the President, Government and Parliament of Azerbaijan