On 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-10-2024-0234
on behalf of the PPE Group · Rapporteur: Sebastião Bugalho, Michael Gahler, Željana Zovko, Andrey Kovatchev, Isabel WiselerLima, Mirosława Nykiel, Vangelis Meimarakis, Luděk Niedermayer, Sandra Kalniete, Ingeborg Ter Laak, Tomáš Zdechovský, Wouter Beke, Jessica Polfjärd, Jan Farský
- Voted on · Adopted 434–30–89 · See the decision →
- Full procedure 2024/2994
Written by a language model from the full text only; every figure comes from the text. The paragraph links open the paragraph a statement rests on — check the text itself before relying on it.
This resolution expresses deep concern over human rights in Azerbaijan and demands an end to the crackdown on dissidents, the release of named activists and journalists, and EU sanctions against officials responsible for abuses.¶¶¶ It also calls for lifting the travel ban on Gubad Ibadoghlu, ensuring his medical care, and conditioning future EU agreements with Azerbaijan on human rights improvements.¶¶
Key points
- Expresses profound concern about the human rights situation in Azerbaijan and demands an immediate end to the crackdown on all dissident groups.¶
- Urges Azerbaijani authorities to immediately and unconditionally release human rights defenders, journalists, and activists detained on fabricated or politically motivated charges, including Gubad Ibadoghlu, Anar Mammadli, Kamran Mammadli, Rufat Safarov, and seven Meydan TV journalists.¶
- Demands the immediate lifting of the travel ban on Gubad Ibadoghlu, dropping all charges, and ensuring an independent medical examination and treatment abroad due to risk of diabetic coma and stroke.¶
- Condemns detention conditions of political prisoners, including Kamran Mammadov, who was beaten and subjected to electric shocks.¶
- Calls for EU sanctions under its global human rights sanctions regime against Azerbaijani officials who committed serious human rights violations.¶
- Recalls that the 1996 EU-Azerbaijan Partnership and Cooperation Agreement is based on respect for democracy, international law, and human rights.¶
- Insists on conditioning any future agreements with Azerbaijan on the release of all political prisoners and improvement of the overall human rights situation.¶
Who is affected
- Azerbaijani authorities: must release detainees, lift travel bans, and improve human rights or face sanctions and conditionality.¶¶¶
- Detained activists and journalists: Gubad Ibadoghlu, Anar Mammadli, Kamran Mammadli, Rufat Safarov, and Meydan TV staff are targeted for release.
- EU institutions: called to impose sanctions on Azerbaijani officials and condition future agreements.¶¶