Armenians Face Risk of Abduction along the Contact Line: Human Rights Watch Report on Azerbaijan

Human Rights Watch and Freedom House have released their report on Azerbaijan for 2021. According to Armenpress, the 2021 report by Human Rights Watch states that following the 44-day war in Nagorno-Karabakh, the sides have largely maintained the ceasefire regime; however, the situation along the contact line remains fragile, with armed confrontations occurring periodically between the parties.

The report notes that Azerbaijan has begun reconstruction work in the territories it gained control of as a result of the Second Karabakh War. At the same time, it is mentioned that Armenians along the contact line face risks of injury and abduction while engaging in agricultural work. HRW has expressed that this situation necessitates international involvement in determining the long-term status of Nagorno-Karabakh.

It is emphasized that in March 2021, a presidential decree in the country led to the release of 40 opposition and religious activists, journalists, and human rights defenders from prisons, individuals whose detention could have political motives. However, there are still many citizens imprisoned on fabricated charges due to the government's policy of suppressing opposition and other critical voices.

In its report, Freedom House evaluates the level of freedoms based on several criteria, including political rights and civil liberties, internet freedom, and the level of democratic governance. Under the first criterion, Azerbaijan is included in the list of unfree countries.