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

B90236/2024

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 the Rule 144 of its Rules of Procedure,

Whereas over the past year the Azerbaijani authorities have carried out a concerted assault of government critics, including civil society activists, journalists and political opposition;

Whereas according to Azerbaijani civil society the number of political prisoners is approaching 300 and include renowned scholar, Dr Gubad Ibadoghlu, political opposition figure, Tofig Yagublu, Chair of the Institute for Democratic Initiatives, Akif Gurbanov, civic activist Bakhtiyar Hajiyev;

Whereas Dr Ibadoghlu’s health has deteriorated significantly since his arrest in July 2023 due to torture and inhuman detention conditions; whereas despite the urgent measures ordered to Azerbaijan by the European Court of Human Rights to protect his health, Dr Ibadoghlu has been refused adequate care, thus risking his life;

Whereas the last wave of repression since November 2023 has targeted remaining independent media and human rights defenders, with over a dozen persons detained on bogus smuggling charges and remaining in pre-trial custody;

Whereas civic activist Ilhamiz Guliyev was arrested on 4 December 2023 and remains in pre-trial detention on politically-motivated charges after giving an interview to the investigative outlet Abzas Media on how police illegally plants drugs on political activists;

Reiterates its calls for immediate, urgent and unconditional release of Dr Ibadoghlu so he can undergo medical treatments by independent personnel or seek medical treatment abroad to halt decline of his health;

Calls on the Azerbaijani authorities to immediately and unconditionally release human rights defender Ilkhamiz Guliyev; Abzas Media activists and journalists Ulvi Hasanly, Sevinj Vagifkyzy, Nargiz Absalamova, and Elnara Gasimova; director of television Kanal 13 Rufat Muradli and its founder Aziz Orujov; head of “Khural TV” Avaz Zeynalli; head of “Sada TV” YouTube channel Elnur Shukurov; founder of online news platform ToplumTV Alasgar Mammadli and its journalist Farid Ismayilov;

Calls on the Azerbaijani authorities to release all political prisoners, including EU nationals and ethnic Armenians, drop politically motivated charges against them and stop extra-territorial repression;

Reminds the Azerbaijani government of its international human rights obligations, particularly to protect dignity and rights of detainees;

Calls on the EU Special Representative for Human Rights to request meeting with political prisoners in Azerbaijan, including Dr Ibadoghlu;

Considers that the ongoing human rights violations in Azerbaijan are incompatible with country’s preparations to host COP29;

Urges EU Member States to utilize their political and economic ties with Azerbaijan to advocate for the release of all political prisoners in Azerbaijan and protect and grant asylum status for Azerbaijani dissidents on their soil;

Calls on EU sanctions under EU Magnitsky Act on Azerbaijani officials who took part in persecution of political opponents or committed serious human rights violations;

Calls on the Azerbaijani authorities to repeal repressive legislation that drives independent NGOs and media to the margins of law and prevents from securing funding;

Instructs its President to forward this resolution to VP/HR, the Council, the Commission, government and parliament of Azerbaijan.