Sittings · Document
On the arbitrary arrest and sentencing of academics Bahruz Samadov and Igbal Abilov in Azerbaijan
on behalf of the PPE Group · Rapporteur: Sebastião Bugalho, Danuše Nerudová, Isabel WiselerLima, Tomas Tobé, Loucas Fourlas, Ingeborg Ter Laak, Miriam Lexmann, Wouter Beke, Tomáš Zdechovský, Liudas Mažylis, Jessica Polfjärd, Davor Ivo Stier, Łukasz Kohut, Jan Farský, Luděk Niedermayer
The resolution strongly condemns the arrest and sentencing of academics Bahruz Samadov and Igbal Abilov in Azerbaijan on politically motivated charges, and expresses concern over the erosion of academic freedom and human rights.¶ It calls for their immediate release, fair trials, and an end to repression against journalists, activists, and academics, and demands international medical access for Samadov.¶¶ It urges Azerbaijani authorities to comply with international obligations and stresses that scholarly exchanges are protected forms of academic freedom.¶¶¶
Key points
- Strongly condemns the arrest, prosecution and sentencing of Bahruz Samadov and Igbal Abilov on politically motivated charges.¶
- Expresses deep concern at the continuing erosion of academic freedom, freedom of expression and cultural rights in Azerbaijan.¶
- Reiterates its call for the immediate and unconditional release of political prisoners in Azerbaijan, in particular Samadov and Abilov.¶
- Urges Azerbaijani authorities to guarantee fair trials, due process, and end repression against journalists, activists, academics and other individuals.¶
- Calls on Azerbaijani authorities to ensure scholars' unhindered access to their families, lawyers of their choosing and adequate, independent medical care.¶
- Demands immediate access for an independent international medical team to assess Samadov’s condition.¶
- Condemns the use of national security legislation to repress peaceful academic cooperation, scholarly discussion, and public criticism.¶
- Stresses that such practices violate Azerbaijan’s international human rights obligations under the ICCPR and its commitments to the Council of Europe and the OSCE.¶
- Urges Azerbaijan to cease intimidation, smear campaigns, and repression against academics, researchers, journalists, and human rights defenders.¶
- Reminds authorities that scholarly exchanges, including cross-border cooperation on minority issues, are protected forms of academic freedom.¶
- Calls on the EU Human Rights Special Representative to conduct meetings with the detained academics and demands the presence of EU and Member States ambassadors in Baku to observe and monitor the trials.¶
Who is affected
- Azerbaijani authorities, who are urged to release political prisoners and ensure fair trials and medical care.¶¶
- Academics, journalists, activists, and human rights defenders in Azerbaijan, who face repression and intimidation.¶¶¶
- Bahruz Samadov and Igbal Abilov, who are detained and sentenced, and whose release is demanded.¶¶
- EU Human Rights Special Representative and EU ambassadors in Baku, who are called to act.¶
Written by a language model from the full text only; every figure comes from the text and ¶ links to the paragraph it rests on. Check the text itself before relying on it.