Ahead of the European Political Community Summit, Azerbaijan is facing a climate of severe repression, particularly following the 2024 elections. Prominent figures such as Anar Mammadli and other activists have been jailed under politically motivated charges. As the international community prepares to meet, there are urgent calls for accountability and reform to protect human rights in Azerbaijan.
As the 29th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change approaches in Baku, Azerbaijan, urgent calls are being made for the European Political Community Summit to address the troubling climate of repression in Azerbaijan. President Ilham Aliyev is set to attend the summit on November 7, 2024, but this comes on the heels of significant crackdowns on civil society in the country following recent elections. The year 2024 has witnessed a sharp escalation of repression in Azerbaijan, particularly after the February presidential and September parliamentary elections. Independent civil society is under siege; organizations crumble, and leaders of independent media face imprisonment. Anar Mammadli, a prominent human rights advocate, exemplifies this oppression. His arbitrary detention on dubious charges after exposing irregularities in the presidential election highlights the dire state of human rights in the country. Mammadli’s organization, the last bastion of independent election monitoring, published grim preliminary findings, showcasing an attempt by the Azerbaijani government to stifle dissent. Meanwhile, the United Nations recognizes his detention as unlawful, demanding his release. The situation reflects a broader wave of arrests targeting journalists, academics, and activists, such as Famil Khalilov, who suffers in inadequate conditions, and Bahruz Samadov, targeted for criticizing government policies. Other notable figures suffering under this oppressive regime include Gubad Ibadoghlu, illegally detained upon returning from exile, and trade union activist Afiaddin Mammadov, facing serious charges. Numerous journalists who dared to shine a light on these issues have been caught in the crackdown as their outlets are shut down, leaving behind a chilling silence. Adding to this climate of fear, human rights violations are escalating. Political dissidents, including Tofig Yagublu and Hafiz Babali, remain jailed, illustrating Azerbaijan’s commitment to quelling any challenge to its authority. The European Union has expressed concern over these actions, noting a rise in politically motivated arrests and calls for an urgent need to restore respect for human rights within the nation. As the European Political Community Summit draws near, we implore its participants to demand compliance from Azerbaijan with its human rights obligations. They must advocate for Anar Mammadli’s release and that of other unjustly detained individuals while pushing for legislative reforms aimed at protecting human rights defenders. This summit presents a crucial opportunity to hold Azerbaijan accountable and to foster an environment where civil society can flourish instead of floundering in oppression.
Azerbaijan’s recent political climate has deteriorated, particularly following the presidential and parliamentary elections in 2024. The government’s crackdown on dissent has reached alarming levels, leading to widespread arrests of human rights defenders and independent journalists. The struggles of activists like Anar Mammadli have drawn international condemnation, highlighting the country’s disregard for human rights obligations. As Azerbaijan prepares to host a significant climate conference, its human rights record comes under scrutiny, prompting urgent demands for accountability from the global community. This context serves as a backdrop for the forthcoming European Political Community Summit, where participants must confront the realities of repression in Azerbaijan. Amid active efforts to silence dissent, it is essential that leaders recognize and respond to these injustices to support human rights and democracy in the region.
The upcoming European Political Community Summit in Budapest presents an invaluable opportunity to challenge Azerbaijan on its human rights record. With the nation grappling with increased repression of dissenting voices and civil society, it is crucial for leaders to advocate for the release of unjustly imprisoned activists and journalists. The international community must not turn a blind eye to the plight of individuals like Anar Mammadli. Instead, it should urge Azerbaijan to adhere to its commitments to uphold human rights and foster an environment where free expression is protected, not punished.
Original Source: www.fidh.org
