Azerbaijan ranks second-worst in Europe for LGBT rights

An annual index by European advocacy group ILGA-Europe has ranked Azerbaijan second-to-last in Europe for its protection of LGBT rights.

The International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association (ILGA-Europe) published its 2026 Rainbow Map, which measures legal and policy protections on a 100-point scale across 49 countries.

Azerbaijan was awarded a score of just 2%, placing it 48th on the list. Only Russia scored lower, while Spain topped the index with 89%, followed by Malta on 88% and Iceland on 86%.

In its report, ILGA-Europe said the low rating reflected "systematic human rights violations" by the country's government.

However, the Azerbaijani government has repeatedly denied such claims, insisting that the rights of all citizens are fully protected.

The Rainbow Map has been published since 2009, using 76 criteria across seven thematic categories, including equality, family rights, protection against hate crimes, and civil society space.

Azerbaijan has historically remained near the bottom of the rankings.

Other regional countries also scored poorly in the 2026 report, with Georgia ranking 44th (12%), Armenia 45th (9%), and Turkey 47th (5%).