Strasbourg, Feb.13.– Over the past 25 years, Azerbaijan has failed to uphold its democratic commitments. Instead, President Ilham Aliyev has tightened his grip on power, suppressing political opposition, civil society, and independent media.
In January 2024, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) refused to ratify Azerbaijan’s credentials due to its worsening human rights record. Since then, repression has escalated, with at least 331 political prisoners, including journalists and human rights defenders such as Anar Mammadli.
Democracy advocates urge PACE and the global community to take firm action, including sanctions and diplomatic pressure, to hold Azerbaijan accountable. “Without decisive measures, Azerbaijan risks further isolation, following the path of Russia and Belarus.” – Andrea Prasow, Executive Director of Freedom Now.
When Azerbaijan was accepted into the Council of Europe in 2001, it was seen as a constructive way to support the country’s progress toward democracy. Like all members, its admission came with certain obligations: uphold the standards of a pluralist democracy, respect the rule of law, and defend human rights.
Over the past nearly 25 years, however, the ruling regime of Azerbaijan has consistently failed to honor these commitments. Instead, it has steadily worked to solidify President Ilham Aliyev’s grasp on power, quashing opposition and dissent and restricting civil society. Last January, the Council of Europe recognized these failures when it refused to ratify the credentials of Azerbaijan’s delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE).
This unprecedented step specifically referred to the deteriorating human rights situation in the country ...
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