Climate Observers Partnership Urges Full Release of Famil Khalilov

Head Image Source: Turan news agency

Due to the sharp deterioration health of the disabled activist Famil Khalilov, on December 3, 2024 the Court changed the measure of restraint to house arrest.

The Climate Observers Partnership calls for full release of Famil Khalilov.

We demand that all politically motivated charges against him be dropped and urge authorities to ensure both his freedom and the protection of his health and well-being. Khalilov, a first-degree disabled social media activist and outspoken critic of the government, has been detained since May on fabricated drug-related charges. His ongoing dry hunger strike, initiated on November 28, has left him severely emaciated and wheelchair-bound, with his condition worsening by the day.

Khalilov’s arrest is emblematic of Azerbaijan’s broader crackdown on dissent, as authorities continue to imprison activists, journalists, and critics under false pretenses. Khalilov's case is particularly troubling given his disability and the reported lack of adequate care in detention, which violates Azerbaijan's obligations under international law, including the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

Khalilov's wife, Kichikhanum Khalilova, has bravely advocated for his release despite facing threats. She describes her husband as unjustly targeted for his social media posts highlighting societal inequalities, including inadequate education, the lack of child allowances, and the rising cost of living. These actions reveal a regime intolerant of criticism and determined to suppress those who dare to speak out.

As Khalilov's imprisonment casts a shadow over Azerbaijan's hosting of the COP29 climate summit, this raises questions about the nation’s commitment to international norms. The conference's focus on transparency and accountability contrasts sharply with the suppression of voices like Khalilov’s, which undermines trust in Azerbaijan’s environmental and political commitments.

Therefore, The Climate Observers Partnership urge like minded States to hold Azerbaijan accountable for its human rights violations and advocate for the protection of activists and journalists who risk their lives for justice and transparency. 

Let us not allow injustice to silence those who fight for a better future. Famil Khalilov must be freed, and his case must serve as a reminder of the urgent need to safeguard human rights globally.