Escalating Repression in Azerbaijan: The Struggle for Human Rights Under Aliyev’s Regime

At the Warsaw Human Dimension Conference, hosted by the 2024 OSCE Chairpersonship of Malta and ODIHR, the Climate Observer Partnership addressed Azerbaijan's political prisoners. Emin Huseynov and Diana Nazarets highlighted the worsening human rights situation under the Aliyev regime, noting that the number of political prisoners has tripled in a year, now exceeding 300.

The crackdown began in 2013, with constitutional changes allowing Aliyev’s third term. Since then, repression has intensified, targeting journalists and activists. The recent 2024 elections, marked by low competition and biased processes, were seen as rigged, with 92% of votes favoring Aliyev.

The event also exposed severe violations of freedoms of expression, assembly, and association. Many independent media outlets have been shut down, while NGO activity is restricted, with foreign funding banned. Intimidation tactics include financial threats, targeting family members, and travel bans. The recent assassination of exiled activist Vidadi Iskenderli in France highlighted the regime’s reach beyond borders.

Young people are leading the fight for rights, facing harsh crackdowns. Ethnic minorities are also targeted, as seen in the arrest of researcher Iqbal Abilov. Journalists face fabricated charges, poor legal defense, and blackmail to plead guilty.

International response includes U.S. sanctions against government officials, but civil society remains at risk as long as Aliyev stays in power. The Partnership urged solutions for freeing wrongly detained journalists, activists, and defenders.