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MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION (2024/2994(RSP))

On the continued 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

B-10-2024-0221

on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group · Rapporteur: Lena Schilling, Maria Ohisalo, Markéta Gregorová, Sergey Lagodinsky, Mārtiņš Staķis, Nicolae Ştefănuță, Catarina Vieira, Ville Niinistö, Villy Søvndal

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This resolution condemns Azerbaijan's repression of civil society, human rights defenders, and independent media, citing specific arrests and detentions. It urges the immediate release of all political prisoners and calls for targeted sanctions against Azerbaijani officials. It also calls for stronger EU support for civil society and media, prioritization of human rights in EU-Azerbaijan relations, and suspension of the 2022 energy memorandum if conditions are not met.

Key points

  1. Urges Azerbaijani authorities to immediately and unconditionally release all human rights defenders, civil society activists, and journalists, and to drop all charges against them.
  2. Deplores the denial of permission for Dr Ibadoghlu to attend the Sakharov Prize ceremony in Strasbourg.
  3. Calls for an end to harassment and fabricated lawsuits, repeal of repressive NGO and media legislation, and alignment with Venice Commission recommendations.
  4. Calls for targeted EU sanctions against Azerbaijani officials responsible for serious human rights violations, including Fuad Alasgarov, Vilayat Eyvazov, and Ali Naghiyev.
  5. Calls on the Commission and EEAS to increase support for independent civil society and media in Azerbaijan and in exile, and for EU missions to monitor trials, visit prisons, and support families of political prisoners.
  6. Calls for human rights to be prioritized in EU-Azerbaijan relations, with closer trade ties only if all political prisoners are released and human rights improve, and for suspension of the 2022 energy memorandum.

Who is affected

  • Azerbaijani authorities and officials, who are urged to release prisoners and face potential sanctions.
  • Political prisoners and their families, who would benefit from release and support.
  • EU institutions and member states, which are called on to adjust policies and provide support.