Sanctions Against Azerbaijan: Bill Already on New Jersey Senate Committee Agenda

Democratic Senator Andrew Zwicker from New Jersey has proposed a bill that aims to impose sanctions on Azerbaijan for human rights violations, particularly concerning the recent arrest of the renowned economist Guabad Ibadoglu. This has been reported by Azerbaijani media outlets. The bill has already been placed on the agenda of the state Senate committee.

The bill states that the state of New Jersey is "deeply concerned" about the condition of Dr. Guabad Ibadoglu, who was arrested in July on charges of producing, acquiring, and using counterfeit money. The document highlights that, “Mr. Ibadoglu is a respected economist advocating for transparency in public finance. He has shared his expertise globally and has been associated with various universities in Europe and the United States, including Rutgers University, New Jersey State University, and Princeton University. In addition to his academic endeavors, Dr. Ibadoglu is a notable political activist who has criticized the Azerbaijani government.”

The authorities' arrest of Ibadoglu is portrayed as a continuation of accepted practices in Azerbaijan that contradict the democratic principle of freedom of speech.

The bill mentions that New Jersey law prohibits governmental relations with other countries where human rights violations occur, hence it is in the state's interest to adopt such policies against Azerbaijan as well. Should the bill be passed, state contracts with entities associated with Azerbaijan would be prohibited.

Individuals who work in or with Azerbaijan would be listed by the Department of Treasury, and they would be barred in New Jersey from: entering into contracts with public agencies, having rights to public works, receiving subsidies for economic development, obtaining property tax exemptions, filing for tax exemptions, or obtaining city development permits.

Additionally, the bill prohibits the state from investing pension funds in companies that have equity ties to the Azerbaijani government. It also forbids state and its entities from conducting banking operations, holding shares, debts, and other investments in equity capital, or obtaining insurance from financial institutions with equity ties to the Azerbaijani government.