The European Parliament condemned ongoing human rights violations in Azerbaijan on Thursday, urging the country’s government to release Armenian prisoners and cease its repression of civil society.

In a resolution passed with 434 votes in favour, members of the European Parliament (MEPs) highlighted alleged rights violations in Azerbaijan including the suppression of activists, journalists, and political opposition leaders both domestically and internationally. The Parliament also explicitly called for the imposition of European Union sanctions under its global human rights sanctions framework against Azerbaijani officials deemed responsible for egregious human rights violations.

The European Parliament has further called for an end to the limitations imposed on independent media in Azerbaijan and for the country’s legal framework to be aligned with the recommendations of the Venice Commission. Furthermore, it asserted that any future partnership agreements between the EU and Azerbaijan, including those related to energy, should be contingent upon respecting fundamental human rights and the unconditional release of all political prisoners.

Azerbaijan has faced increasing scrutiny from international bodies due to its human rights record. Since 2023, there has been a marked escalation in government crackdowns on dissent, particularly around significant political events. The situation has been exacerbated by geopolitical tensions following the recent conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh, where Azerbaijani military actions have led to mass displacements and alleged violations of international law, including reports of war crimes and the abuse of Armenian prisoners of war.

The European Parliament’s call for action comes at a time when Europe is seeking alternatives to Russian gas supplies, raising questions about the ethical implications of energy partnerships with countries like Azerbaijan that have been criticized over their human rights records.