Azerbaijan dismisses European body's resolution on journalists as 'piece of paper'

Samad Seyidov

A senior Azerbaijani politician has dismissed a European parliamentary resolution demanding the immediate release of jailed journalists, calling the document a "piece of paper" with no value.

Samad Seyidov, the chairman of the Azerbaijani parliament's foreign relations committee, accused the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) of bias and "double standards".

The resolution, adopted by PACE on 24 June, strongly criticised the Azerbaijani government and demanded that all detained journalists be freed immediately, with any alleged crimes against them fully investigated.

"This piece of paper no longer has any significance for us," Seyidov told the Azerbaijani news agency APA.

"With these steps, they discredit European institutions, thereby striking a blow to the future and appeal of Europe."

Seyidov added that Azerbaijan had already made its position clear by suspending its activities within the organisation.

Relations between Baku and Strasbourg have been severely strained since January 2024, when PACE voted to suspend the credentials of the Azerbaijani delegation, citing the country's failure to meet human rights commitments.

Following the suspension, Azerbaijan halted its cooperation with the assembly and barred several European politicians who supported the decision from entering the country.

Despite the rhetoric, officials in Baku have previously indicated they remain open to resuming dialogue with PACE if the delegation's full voting rights are restored.