What changed

B100221/2024

B100234/2024

Motion for a European Parliament resolution on the continuedContinued repression of civil society and independent media in Azerbaijan and the cases of Dr Gubad Ibadoghlu, Anar Mammadli, Kamran Mammadli, Rufat Safarov and Meydan TV

(2024/2994(RSP))

The European Parliament,

–- having regard to its previous resolutions on Azerbaijan,

– having regard to Rule 150(5) and 136(4) of its Rules of Procedure,

- having regard to the European Convention on Human Rights of 1950, ratified by Azerbaijan in 2002,

whereas Azerbaijan’s regime continues to wring any remaining vestige of human rights in the country as it ramps up its comprehensive crackdown against civil society, human rights defenders and journalists;

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

whereas in early December 2024 authorities arrested Meydan TV’s journalists Aynur Ganbarova, Aytaj Ahmadova, Khayala Agayeva, Natig Javadli, Aysel Umudova, and Ramin Jabrayilzade; whereas police have also arrested animal rights activist Kamran Mammadli, Deputy Director of the Baku Journalism School Ulvi Tahirov, and human rights defender Rufat Safarov; whereas human rights defender Anar Mammadli has been detained since 29 April 2024; whereas all face unfounded, politically motivated charges;

whereas human rights in Azerbaijan have worsened, with continued repression of civil society and independent media; whereas, following the conclusion of COP29, Azerbaijani authorities continued their crackdown on government critics; whereas, on 6 December 2024, Azerbaijani authorities detained seven independent journalists on fabricated charges from the exile-based independent media outlet Meydan TV as well as Kamran Mammadli, an animal rights activist;

whereas academic, anti-corruption activist and shortlisted 2024 Sakharov Prize finalist Dr Gubad Ibadoghlu continues to be held under house arrest and denied adequate medical care;

whereas 300 people remain in detention in Azerbaijan on politically motivated charges; whereas prominent human rights defender and climate advocate, Anar Mammadli, has been in pre-trial detention since 30 April 2024 on bogus charges of conspiracy to bring illegal foreign currency into the country and his health has deteriorated significantly while in custody;

whereas prisoner’s human rights are routinely violated, including detention in inhumane conditions and torture; whereas reports highlight specific harassment and abuse of female political prisoners, such as in the case of Nargiz Absalamova;

whereas the European Court of Human Rights ruled for interim measures under Rule 39 stating that economist and political activist Gubad Ibadoglhu’s health condition is critical and requires hospitalisation and a prompt heart surgery; whereas the Azerbaijani government did not implement the decision;

Urges the Azerbaijani authorities to immediately and unconditionally release and drop all charges against human rights defenders, civil society activists, and journalists; highlights the urgency to immediately release those in need of medical care, including Gubad Ibadoghlu, Anar Mammadli, Alasgar Mammadli, Hafiz Babali, Fazil Gasimov, Famil Khalilov, Ulvi Hasanli, Aziz Orujov, and Ruslan Izzatli;

whereas Rufat Safarov was arrested on the 3rd of December 2024 on bogus fraud and hooliganism charges, prior to his planned trip to the US to receive an award from US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken for his human rights work;

Deplores the decision by the Azerbaijani authorities not to lift Dr Ibadoghlu’s house arrest to enable him to attend the Sakharov Prize ceremony in Strasbourg;

Stresses its profound concern regarding the human rights situation in Azerbaijan and demands an immediate end of the crackdown on all dissident groups;

Calls on the Azerbaijani authorities to end the atrocious harassment and fabricated lawsuits against dissenting voices, to repeal the repressive legislation on the registration and funding of nongovernmental organizations and media, and bring its laws in line with Venice Commission recommendations;

Urges Azerbaijan’s authorities to immediately and unconditionally release human rights defenders, journalists, environmental, political and other activists prosecuted under fabricated and or politically motivated charges including Gubad Ibadoghlu, Anar Mammadli, Kamran Mammadli, Rufat Safarov and the seven independent journalists of Meydan TV;

Calls for targeted sanctions, under the EU Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime, against officials responsible for serious human rights violations, including Presidential Assistant Fuad Alasgarov, Internal Affairs Minister Vilayat Eyvazov, and National Security Agency Director Ali Naghiyev;

Strongly demands the immediate lifting of the travel ban imposed on Gubad Ibadoghlu and the unconditional dropping of all charges against him; calls on Azerbaijan urgently to ensure an independent medical examination by a doctor of his own choosing, and allow him to receive treatment abroad as he is under risk of diabetic coma and stroke;

Calls on the Commission and EEAS to reinforce support for independent civil society and media in the country and in exile; asks the EU delegation and Member States’ embassies to monitor trials, to conduct prison visits, to support the families of political prisoners, including financially, and to offer protection to people at risk of persecution, including by facilitating entry for asylum or temporary refuge;

Condemns the detention conditions of political prisoners, including Kamran Mammadov, who was subjected to beating, and the use of electric shocks;

Calls on the Commission and EEAS to ensure that Azerbaijan’s appalling human rights situation is prioritised in relations with Azerbaijan; notes that closer trade relations should only be pursued if Azerbaijan releases all political prisoners, and significantly improves its human rights record; calls for the suspension of the 2022 memorandum of understanding on the strategic partnership in the field of energy;

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

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

Recalls that the 1996 EU-Azerbaijan Partnership and Cooperation Agreement is based on respect for democracy and the principles of international law and human rights;

Insists on conditioning any future agreements with Azerbaijan on the release of all political prisoners and the improvement of the overall human rights situation in the country;

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