European Parliament's Condemnatory Resolution Against Azerbaijan

On December 19, during a plenary session, the European Parliament adopted a resolution regarding the ongoing repression of civil society and independent media in Azerbaijan, with 434 votes in favor, 30 against, and 89 abstentions. This vote followed a parliamentary discussion on the same topic on December 18.

Members of the European Parliament strongly condemned the suppression of press freedom and dissenting voices by Aliyev's regime, calling for targeted sanctions against Azerbaijani officials who violate human rights. The Parliament also proposed suspending the 2022 Memorandum of Understanding regarding strategic partnership in the energy sector.

The resolution insists that Azerbaijan must "unconditionally release political prisoners, human rights defenders, journalists, and political activists, and drop all charges against them." The European Parliament has unequivocally condemned the ongoing pressures on civil society, independent media, and political opposition in Azerbaijan.

The resolution highlights the escalating repressions since 2023, particularly intensified around the COP29 summit, and calls for the immediate release of all political prisoners. It also emphasizes the regular violations of human rights of prisoners, including inhumane conditions of detention, torture, and targeted assaults against female political prisoners.

Importantly, the resolution mentions 23 Armenian prisoners, including former leaders of the unrecognized Republic of Artsakh, urging their immediate release alongside all political prisoners in the country. During the parliamentary discussion on December 18, several parliamentarians raised the issue of Armenian hostages, as well as the policies of aggression and human rights violations against the indigenous Armenian population of Artsakh.

In this context, MEP Bert-Jan Ruissen emphasized the European Parliament's "shift in approach" and expansion of sanctions against Azerbaijan, particularly referring to the forced expulsion of Armenians. Another parliamentarian, Marina Mesure, declared, "Human rights are systematically violated; Azerbaijan is one of the worst countries when it comes to press freedom. Human Rights Watch has documented torture and degrading treatment of prisoners who were detained following operations in Artsakh." The parliamentarian condemned the "policy of repression against Armenian neighbors."

Commenting on the resolution, Gaspar Karapetyan, president of the Armenian Cause European Office, stated: "This resolution highlights the necessity for the EU executive to adopt comprehensive and effective measures to deter Aliyev's regime from its policy of repression and injustice. The increasing violence against opposition figures and journalists and the inhumane conditions under which political prisoners, including former leaders of the Republic of Artsakh and other wrongly imprisoned Armenians, reside, represent a violation of the fundamental principles and values of the European Union. The Armenian Cause Committee of Europe is committed to ensuring that these values are protected, and we will continue to emphasize the international principles of press freedom, justice, and human rights in our actions."