Resolution 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

The European Parliament adopted by 434 votes to 30, with 89 abstentions, a resolution 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.

The text adopted in plenary was tabled by the EPP, S&D, ECR, Renew, Greens/EFA and The Left groups.

The resolution concerns the ongoing human rights violations by the Azerbaijani government since 2023, particularly targeting civil society, political opposition, human rights defenders, the LGBTI+ community, and independent media. This crackdown intensified around COP29, with over 300 political prisoners and violations of prisoners' rights. Notable figures include political prisoner Gubad Ibadoghlu, whose health is critical, and civil society leader Anar Mammadli, who is in pre-trial detention. Journalists, activists, and political leaders, including MeydanTV journalists and human rights defenders, have been arrested on politically motivated charges. Environmental activist Kamran Mammadli was also attacked at COP29.

Parliament strongly condemned the Azerbaijani regime’s reported ongoing violations of human rights, including freedoms of expression, association and peaceful assembly, and its politically motivated abuse of the criminal justice system.

It urged Azerbaijani authorities to:

- immediately end the crackdown on all dissident groups and unconditionally release and drop all charges against human rights defenders, journalists and political and other activists prosecuted under fabricated, politically motivated charges;

- lift the travel ban on Gubad Ibadoghlu, unconditionally drop all charges against him and allow him to receive urgent treatment abroad;

- lift undue restrictions on independent media by aligning its laws on the registration and funding of non-governmental groups and media with Venice Commission recommendations;

- end the repression of MeydanTV, ToplumTV, Abaz Media and Kanal13.

Members called for EU sanctions under its global human rights sanctions regime to be imposed on Azerbaijani officials responsible for serious human rights violations, including Fuad Alasgarov, Vilayat Eyvazov and Ali Naghiyev.

Lastly, the resolution insisted that any EU-Azerbaijan partnership agreement – including on energy – must be strongly conditional on respect for fundamental rights and the release of all political prisoners.