Azerbaijan’s Civil Rights At Risk: Institute for Human Rights Raises Alarm at OSCE Human Dimension Forum 2024

At the recent Warsaw Human Dimension Conference, the Institute for Human Rights (IHR) voiced grave concerns regarding the ongoing human rights violations in Azerbaijan. IHR representatives highlighted how the Azerbaijani government continues to severely restrict fundamental freedoms, notably the right to movement. Diana Nazarets, a spokesperson for IHR, cited examples such as the imposition of travel bans on activists and government critics. According to IHR, these restrictions serve to tighten the government’s control over civil society, forcing many individuals into self-censorship due to fear of repression or imprisonment.

Particularly concerning, IHR pointed out, is the targeting of female activists, who face persistent harassment, arbitrary detention, and invasions of privacy. The organization underscored that these tactics are part of a broader effort by the Azerbaijani regime to stifle dissent.

One case that was presented involved Azerbaijani blogger and activist Famil Khalilov, whose experience epitomizes the regime's use of torture as a method of repression. Khalilov’s two children, aged 8 and 11, were reportedly subjected to psychological pressure by the police to unlock their father’s electronic devices, a clear violation of their rights and the fundamental prohibition against torture. IHR called on the international community to "strongly condemn" these actions and to hold Azerbaijani authorities accountable through diplomatic pressure.The NGO further demanded the immediate release of Famil Khalilov, emphasizing his unlawful detention as emblematic of the broader human rights crisis in Azerbaijan.

The lack of judicial independence in the country remains a central issue, with over 300 political prisoners held in detention, often tried by the same judges, raising serious concerns about the fairness and transparency of these proceedings. Additionally, the government has systematically targeted independent lawyers, further limiting prisoners' access to proper legal representation.

Institute for Human Rights concluded by urging OSCE member states to apply additional pressure on Azerbaijan to reform its judicial system, uphold its international obligations, and ensure that civil society has access to fair and impartial legal processes.