Thursday, April 25 2024 17:46

ArmInfo.On April 25, the European Parliament adopted a resolution on Azerbaijan, notably the  repression of civil society and the cases of Dr Gubad Ibadoghlu and Ilhamiz Guliyev.

As the source reports,  "The European Parliament,

- having regard to its previous resolutions on Azerbaijan,

- having regard to Rules 144(5) and 132(4) of its Rules of Procedure,

A. whereas Azerbaijan has intensified its repression of civil  society, activists and the remaining independent media, such as Abzas  Media, through detentions and judicial harassment; whereas civil  society organisations currently list nearly 300 political prisoners  in Azerbaijan;

B. whereas Gubad Ibadoghlu, a political economist and opposition  figure, was arrested by Azerbaijani authorities in July 2023 and  remained in detention until 22 April 2024, when he was transferred to  house arrest; whereas his health has deteriorated significantly since  his arrest, as a result of torture, inhumane detention conditions and  refusal of adequate medical care, thus endangering his life;

C. whereas Ilhamiz Guliyev, a human rights defender, was arbitrarily  arrested on 4 December 2023 on dubious accusations of drug  trafficking after he testified as whistleblower about the police  tampering with evidence against government critics; whereas he is  facing up to 12 years in prison;

1. Urges Azerbaijan to immediately and unconditionally release  Ilhamiz Guliyev; notes that Gubad Ibadoghlu has been released and  placed under house arrest and calls on the authorities to lift the  travel ban and drop all charges against him; calls on Azerbaijan to  urgently ensure that he receives an independent medical examination  by a doctor of his own choosing and to allow him to receive treatment  abroad;

2. Urges Azerbaijan to immediately and unconditionally release all  other political prisoners, including Tofig Yagublu, Akif Gurbanov,  Bakhtiyar Hajiyev, human rights defenders and journalists Ulvi  Hasanli, Sevinj Vagifgizi, Nargiz Absalamova, Hafiz Babali, Elnara  Gasimova, Aziz Orujov, Rufat Muradli, Avaz Zeynalli, Elnur Shukurov,  Alasgar Mammadli, Farid Ismayilov, as well as EU and other nationals;

3. Reminds the Azerbaijani authorities of their obligations to  respect human dignity and fundamental freedoms and calls on them to  repeal repressive legislation that drives independent  non-governmental organisations and media to the margins of the law;

4. Considers that the ongoing human rights violations in Azerbaijan  are incompatible with the country's preparations to host COP29;  demands that the organisers ensure that human rights, fundamental  freedoms and effective civil society participation are fully  enshrined and guaranteed in the Host Country Agreement;

5. Calls on the Commission to consider suspending the strategic  partnership with Azerbaijan in the field of energy; insists on making  any future partnership agreement conditional on the release of all  political prisoners and the improvement of the overall human rights  situation in the country;

6. Calls on the EU Special Representative for Human Rights to request  meetings with political prisoners in Azerbaijan;

7. Reiterates its call for EU sanctions under its global human rights  sanctions regime to be imposed on Azerbaijani officials who have  committed serious human rights violations;

8. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council,  the Commission, the Vice-President of the Commission / High  Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy,  the Member States and the President, Government and Parliament of  Azerbaijan."