Amnesty International reported severe systematic human rights violations in Azerbaijan on Thursday. The report reflects the lack of improvement and the systemic nature of the abuses, including unjustified restrictions on the right to freedom of expression, as well as the abuse of the criminal justice system for political purposes.

Some independent civil society organizations in Azerbaijan have been closed down, and human rights defenders and other individuals, criticizing the government, have been detained and imprisoned on politically motivated charges. Others face the risk of severe repression, with hundreds currently in pretrial detention or imprisoned after unfair trials on political charges. Families and relatives of some government critics also face harassment by authorities.

The systematic silencing of independent journalists and media includes politically motivated arrests of over 20 journalists, media workers, and founders of independent publications and widespread shutdown of independent media outlets like Abzas Media, 13 Kanal, and Toplum TV. The government intensified its crackdown before hosting major international events, such as COP29 in November 2024, which led to the absence of Independent Azerbaijani voices from the conference.

Examples of arbitrary detentions include the arrest and pre-trial detention on charges of conspiracy of Anar Mammadli, a prominent human rights defender and climate action advocate, as well as the recent sentence and confiscation of property of activist Bakhtiyar Hajiyev to ten years in prison on “fabricated and politically motivated charges”. In December 2024, seven journalists were arrested on smuggling charges, which may result in up to eight years imprisonment. The group included reporters from Meydan TV and the deputy director of Baku Journalist School.

Restrictive laws regulating the activities of media and NGOs create risks of legal prosecution and result in denial of registration, which creates a pretext for arbitrary detention and prosecution of critics of the authorities. In addition, the de facto ban on peaceful protests, which has existed in the country for over a decade, directly violates the right to freedom of association and denies opposition groups the right to peacefully assemble and express their concerns.

The situation of prisoners in the country also remains deplorable as torture and ill-treatment along with arbitrary restrictions on family visits and communication remain widespread. Detainees face abuse carried out with impunity by law enforcement officers and various investigative bodies personnel. Their relatives and legal representatives encountered considerable obstacles concerning visiting or communicating with detainees, such as short, monitored sessions behind glass barriers and prolonged waiting periods before being allowed visits.

Power is currently in the hands of Ilham Aliyev, who has served as president of Azerbaijan since 2003, and his extended family. The organization’s documented violations indicate an extensive crackdown on civil liberties, which complicates political activism, independent expression, and activism in the country, which is reported to have an authoritarian regime.