Council of Europe Must Act to Address Azerbaijan’s Neglect of Its Commitments and Obligations 

For immediate release:
Baku, Brussels and Geneva, 14 January 2025  Today, International Partnership for Human Rights (IPHR) and the Campaign to End Repression in Azerbaijan unveil their new report, a comprehensive analysis revealing how Azerbaijan has systematically neglected its commitments and obligations as a Council of Europe member, whilst the institution’s inaction has allowed these violations to go unaddressed.

The report “Azerbaijan’s Defiance: A Decade of Contempt for the Council of Europe” highlights Azerbaijan’s persistent disregard for the Council of Europe’s principles and its ability to act with impunity. Despite repeated warnings and judgments from the European Court of Human Rights, Azerbaijan has evaded accountability and undermined the institution’s credibility. 

Its publication is under strict embargo until Tuesday 14 January 2025, 14.00 CET. 

Since its accession to the Council of Europe, Azerbaijan progressively consolidated a policy of repression and systemic human rights violations, which leaves no space for the exercise of fundamental freedoms and the protection of human rights, leading to an unprecedented level of repression. 2024 has recorded the sharpest increase and highest number of political prisoners since Azerbaijan’s accession to the Council of Europe in 2001. 

The report documents how the Council of Europe has failed to act to address these developments. “The Council of Europe’s continued inaction emboldens Azerbaijan to defy its obligations, undermining not only its own commitments but the core principles of human rights and democracy that the Council represents. This neglect creates a dangerous precedent, enabling systemic repression and eroding the credibility of the institution,” said Simon Papuashvili, IPHR Programme Director. 

The report calls on the Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers and the Secretary General to adopt a bold, unified approach towards Azerbaijan. Recommendations include initiating an Article 52 investigation under the European Convention on Human Rights and halting programming with Azerbaijan until clear human rights benchmarks are met. 

“The overly lenient approach taken by senior Council of Europe officials toward Azerbaijan’s blatant defiance reflects a troubling disconnect between principles and action. This lack of firmness not only undermines accountability but also signals to other member states that commitments to human rights and democracy can be disregarded without consequence,” said Florian Irminger, president of Progress & Change Action Lab, the organisation managing of the Campaign to End Repression in Azerbaijan at the behest of Azerbaijani human rights defenders and lawyers. 

Cover page of the December 2024 report titled “Azerbaijan’s Defiance: A Decade of Contempt for the Council of Europe,” highlighting Azerbaijan’s human rights challenges post-COP29. Includes the logos of the Campaign to End Repression in Azerbaijan and the International Partnership for Human Rights (IPHR).
Cover page of the December 2024 report titled “Azerbaijan’s Defiance: A Decade of Contempt for the Council of Europe,” highlighting Azerbaijan’s human rights challenges post-COP29. Includes the logos of the Campaign to End Repression in Azerbaijan and the International Partnership for Human Rights (IPHR).

For media inquiries, including for background and further contacts with Azerbaijani human rights defenders and lawyers who are not quoted here for security reasons, please contact Florian Irminger at florian@endrepression-az.org and +41 79 751 80 42. 

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