Ten international human rights organizations have appealed to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), urging it not to restore the credentials of Azerbaijan’s delegation.
They also call for the development of clear criteria to determine whether the credentials can be restored in the future, according to Turan.az.
“We, the undersigned, once again urge PACE to confirm the suspension of Azerbaijan’s credentials during the January 2025 session and to develop clear and measurable criteria for their restoration,” the appeal states.
The authors of the statement note that Baku consistently avoids cooperation with international organizations and fails to address widespread human rights violations. Specifically, it is mentioned that in the past year, Azerbaijani authorities ceased cooperation with the Committee for the Prevention of Torture.
It is also reported that since November 2023 and after the COP29 summit in 2024, pressures on civil activists, journalists, and opposition figures have intensified in Azerbaijan. Human rights advocates assert that arrests are politically motivated.
The appeal lists cases brought against activists and opposition members, including Afyaddin Mammadov, Bakhtiyar Hajiyev, Rail Abbasov, Ilhamiz Guliyev, political analyst Azer Gasimli, human rights defender Rufat Safarov, Anar Mammadli, and young researchers Igbal Abilov and Bahrus Samedov. Opposition figures mentioned include Gubad Ibadoghlu, Tofig Yagublu, and Akif Gurbanov. Instances of harassment against journalists from independent outlets such as Abzas Media, Toplum TV, Meydan TV, and Kanal-13 are also documented.
Travel bans imposed on activists and journalists are among the additional documented measures.
The appeal’s authors emphasize that restoring Azerbaijan’s delegation credentials in PACE should be contingent upon the immediate release of all detained activists and full implementation of European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) rulings.
The document further stresses that Azerbaijan must resume cooperation with PACE rapporteurs, ensure international observers have access to detention facilities, and revoke laws restricting the work of human rights NGOs, enabling independent civil society activity.
The appeal is signed by Campaign to End Repression in Azerbaijan, Committee to Protect Journalists, Freedom Now, Human Rights House Foundation, Human Rights Watch, the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH), International Partnership for Human Rights, the Helsinki Committees of the Netherlands and Norway, and the World Organization Against Torture (OMCT).
In January 2024, PACE refused to confirm Azerbaijan’s delegation credentials for one year, citing "failure to fulfill its core obligations" and the absence of invitations to observers for snap presidential elections. In August, Azerbaijan banned entry to the country for deputies who voted in favor of the decision. The resolution was supported by 76 deputies, opposed by 10, with 4 abstentions.
