Azerbaijan’s Crackdown on Whistleblowers and Opposition Figures Sparks International Outcry

The European Parliament has issued a stern warning to Azerbaijan, urging the government to immediately release two high-profile whistleblowers and opposition figures who have been detained and subjected to harsh treatment.

Detention and Harsh Treatment of Whistleblowers

Gubad Ibadoghlu, a political economist and opposition figure, was arrested in July 2023 and spent nearly a year in detention before being transferred to house arrest, where he remains under strict conditions. Ilhamiz Guliyev, a human rights defender, was arrested in December 2023 on dubious charges of drug trafficking after testifying as a whistleblower about police tampering with evidence against government critics.

Demands for Release and Improved Conditions

The European Parliament has called for Ibadoghlu’s release and demanded that the Azerbaijani authorities lift travel restrictions and drop all charges against him. The parliament also urged the government to ensure that Ibadoghlu receives an independent medical examination and allows him to receive treatment abroad, citing concerns about his deteriorating health due to torture, inhumane detention conditions, and inadequate medical care.

Broader Human Rights Concerns

The parliamentary resolution condemned Azerbaijan’s broader human rights record, highlighting the country’s ranking as one of the least free countries in the world according to Freedom House’s 2024 Freedom in the World index. The parliament urged Azerbaijan to repeal repressive legislation that drives independent non-governmental organizations and media to the margins of the law.

Release of Political Prisoners

The resolution also called for the release of nearly 300 political prisoners, including journalists, human rights defenders, and opposition figures, many of whom are facing lengthy prison sentences or life imprisonment. The European Parliament demanded that the Azerbaijani authorities respect human dignity and fundamental freedoms, and insisted that any future partnership agreement between Azerbaijan and the EU must be conditional on the release of all political prisoners and significant improvements in the country’s human rights record.

EU Sanctions and Suspension of Partnership

The parliament also called for the EU to consider suspending its strategic partnership with Azerbaijan in the field of energy until the government demonstrates a commitment to upholding human rights. The resolution further urged the EU Special Representative for Human Rights to request meetings with political prisoners in Azerbaijan, and reiterated the call for EU sanctions under its global human rights sanctions regime to be imposed on Azerbaijani officials who have committed serious human rights violations.

Conclusion

The European Parliament’s resolution is a powerful rebuke of Azerbaijan’s human rights record, and its demands are likely to put significant pressure on the government to take concrete steps to address its abuses.