Azerbaijan: the human rights situation in the context of the visit of the President of the European Commission to Baku

The chair of the Subcommittee on Human Rights, Mounir Satouri, issued today the following statement.

“The President of the European Commission will visit Baku on 1 July 2026. I recognise the importance of this visit, notably against the backdrop of the peace process between Armenia and Azerbaijan and the hopes for a lasting peace and prosperity in the South Caucasus, which could transform the region into a major connectivity hub.

“I underline, at the same time, the serious human rights situation in Azerbaijan, ranking among the worst globally, with relentless crackdowns on independent media, civil society and political opposition. As Commission President Ursula von der Leyen visits, over 300 political prisoners detained or sentenced on spurious charges are facing harsh prison conditions, degrading treatment, and - according to numerous allegations - torture.

“These include leading voices of the opposition, such as Ali Karimli and Tofig Yagublu, researchers and activists, such as Bahruz Samadov and Igbal Abilov, human rights defenders, such as Anar Mammadli and Rufat Safarov, journalists, such as Ulvi Hasanli and Aynur Elgunesh, and their colleagues from the Abzas Media and Meydan TV news outlets, and so many others. Countless more, while currently not in prison, face various forms of state harassment and persecution, travel bans, or house arrest, as is the case of Sakharov Prize finalist Gubad Ibadoghlu.

“I trust that von der Leyen's visit will be an occasion to raise these important matters at the highest level, in line with the obligation set out in Article 21 of the Treaty on European Union, for EU external action to seek the advancement of democracy, the rule of law, and the universality and indivisibility of human rights and fundamental freedoms in the world.

“I recall that Parliament has repeatedly demanded that any future partnership agreement between the EU and Azerbaijan be made conditional on the release of all political prisoners and on the improvement of the human rights situation in the country.”