In a resolution adopted on September 10, the EP strongly condemned the ‘unprecedented repression against civil society’ in Azerbaijan, echoing a number of FIDH’s recommendations.
This strong resolution calls for the immediate and unconditional release of all political prisoners, human rights defenders, journalists and civil society activists in accordance with the judgment of the European Court of Human Rights and for all charges against them to be dropped. It further calls for the negotiations for a Strategic Partnership Agreement with Azerbaijan to be immediately put on hold until the government takes concrete steps in advancing respect for universal human rights. Moreover, it calls on the Council to ‘avoid double standards in relation to the EaP countries, and to consider, in this regard, targeted sanctions and visa bans on all politicians, officials and judges involved in the political persecutions.’
This is a clear and specific call for the EU to end ‘business as usual’ with Azerbaijan in the face of the continuing deterioration of human rights in the country.
Read more on the situation of human rights in Azerbaijan here
Call for the release of human rights defenders here