A parallel event on human rights in Azerbaijan took place

On Friday, on the 12th of September, a side event organized by the Institute for Human Rights took place at the Palais des Nations. Moderator Zahra Kalantary opened with a brief overview of the human rights situation in Azerbaijan, followed by the panelists’ interventions, each shedding light on different aspects of repression and civic space in the country.

Mehman Huseynov, journalist and blogger, highlighted the severe restrictions on media freedom in Azerbaijan, where around 40 journalists are imprisoned on fabricated charges such as ‘smuggling.’ The government of Ilham Aliyev treats independent journalism as a threat, using harsh detention conditions, biased courts, travel bans, and even transnational persecution to silence dissent. Independent outlets have been shut down, international broadcasters banned, and online platforms censored. With financial and legal blockades further crippling media, he stressed the urgent need for international support, especially for exiled outlets, and called for the release of jailed journalists, an end to censorship, and stronger protection for independent media.

“The ruling family of President Ilham Aliyev has been in power for over 30 years and controls nearly every aspect of political and economic life. Independent journalism is seen as a threat, and that is why so many reporters are behind bars.” - says Mehman Huseynov. He has also revealed a shocking news that he is personally targeted with the death threats and now is seriously concerned about his physical safety.

Diana Nazarets, advocacy officer at the Institute for Human Rights, sheds light on the severe restrictions on civil society in Azerbaijan, where NGOs are tightly controlled by the Ministry of Justice, required to register all grants, and subject to broad supervisory powers. A new 2025 decree monitoring “suspicious financial transactions” has further restricted independent NGOs, making it nearly impossible for them to operate freely. Azerbaijan has one of the highest numbers of political prisoners in the OSCE region, many of whom are civil society activists, human rights defenders, and independent media representatives. Prominent cases include Anar Mammadli, Bakhtiyar Hajiyev, Rufat Safarov, Azer Gasimli, and Iqbal Abilov, who face politically motivated charges such as “money smuggling” or high treason, often with no evidence. Academic and professional contacts are sometimes treated as espionage, illustrating how the government criminalizes ordinary scholarly work.

“The situation with civil society and political freedoms is deteriorating day by day. Legislation regulating NGOs, media, political parties, and democratic institutions has become increasingly restrictive.” - warns Diana.

Emin Huseynov, director of the Institute for Human Rights emphasized the growing repression in Azerbaijan, highlighting that human rights violations now target not only local journalists and activists but also foreign nationals, scholars, and religious minorities. In July 2025, several Russian citizens, particularly Anton Drachev and Sergei Sofronov, were arrested during arbitrary police raids facing false drug charges. These cases are clearly linked to the recently strained relations between Russia and Azerbaijan.

The case of Iqbal Abilov, a Talysh academic sentenced to 18 years for alleged high treason based on his professional contacts, illustrates the criminalization of scholarly work. Shia Muslims face persecution, including arrests and harassment, often linked to alleged ties with Iran. Azerbaijan has also conducted trials in absentia for exiled individuals, including Arif Mammadov, the former Ambassador to the Council of Europe, and whistleblower Ilgar Hajiyev, who escaped political persecution to the United States, reflecting the government’s effort to intimidate dissenters abroad.

Huseynov underscored the urgent need for international attention and support to protect human rights, academic freedom, and civil society in the country:

“In Azerbaijan, whoever speaks the truth; journalists, scholars, and exiled whistleblowers—face persecution, demonstrating the government’s determination to silence dissent both at home and abroad.”

The side event was attended by a number of UN Member States diplomats, representatives of international NGOs and media.