What changed

B90227/2024

P9_TA(2024)0369

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@Guliyev

(2024/2698(RSP))

PE760.691

European Parliament resolution of 25 April 2024 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 Rule 144 of its Rulesprevious ofresolutions Procedure,on Azerbaijan,

Whereas scholar economist, politician and activist Gubad Ibadoghlu was detained in July 2023 in retaliation for his criticism of the government, and in February 2024, Baku Court extended his pre-trial detention by three more months; whereas Ibadoghlu was charged with the production of counterfeit money by an organized group, and with the preparation, storage and distribution of religious extremist materials; whereas Ibadoghlu was allegedly tortured in detention; whereas in September 2023, the ECHR ordered Azerbaijan to ensure the protection of Ibadoglhu’s health; whereas, however, his health continues to deteriorate, he is still being denied access to vital medication, and the conditions of his detention may amount to inhuman and degrading treatment;

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

whereas human rights activist Ilhamiz Guliyev was arrested in December 2023, after speaking to a local media about how police allegedly falsified drug charges against government critics to silence them; whereas he has been arrested for 4 months accused of large-scale drug trafficking, and was allegedly tortured in detention;

A. whereas Azerbaijan has intensified its repression of civil society, activists and the remaining independent media, such as Abzas Media, through detentions and judicial harassment; whereas civil society organisations currently list nearly 300 political prisoners in Azerbaijan; whereas Freedom House’s 2024 Freedom in the World index ranks Azerbaijan among the least free countries in the world, below Russia and Belarus;

whereas these cases are embedded in a broader repression of civil society and dissent in Azerbaijan; whereas human rights activists, political prisoners and journalists continue to face harsh repercussions, including arbitrary arrest and unfair trials;

B. whereas Gubad Ibadoghlu, a political economist and opposition figure, was arrested by Azerbaijani authorities in July 2023 and remained in detention until 22 April 2024, when he was transferred to house arrest; whereas his health has deteriorated significantly since his arrest, as a result of torture, inhumane detention conditions and refusal of adequate medical care, thus endangering his life;

whereas the 2024 Freedom in the World index ranks Azerbaijan as one of the least free countries in the world with a Global Freedom Score of 7/100, below Russia and Belarus;

C. 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;

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

1. 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;

Pending 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;

2. 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;

Calls 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;

3. 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;

Calls 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;

4. 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;

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

5. 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;

Reiterates 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;

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

Instructs 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.

7. 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;

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