• Human Rights in Azerbaijan

    Azerbaijan hosted the 2012 Eurovision Song Contest, casting an international spotlight on the government’s deteriorating human rights record. The atmosphere for political activists and independent and pro-opposition journalists grew acutely hostile. Authorities used imprisonment as a tool for political retribution and forcibly dispersed a number of peaceful demonstrations, indiscriminately arresting activists and passersby. Restrictions on freedom of religion and the prosecution of unregistered religious groups continued. The government intensified its urban renewal campaign in the capital Baku, forcibly evicting thousands of families and illegally demolishing homes.

  • Azerbaijani police detain an opposition activist during an unsanctioned protest rally in Baku, Azerbaijan on Oct. 20, 2012.
    © 2012 AP Photo
    Azerbaijan: Shrinking Space for Media Freedom
    At least eight journalists and three human rights defenders are in jail, and freedom of expression is severely limited in Azerbaijan, the host of the upcoming United Nations-sponsored Internet Governance Forum.
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Azerbaijan

  • Human Rights Watch Daily Brief, 20 June
    Jun 20, 2013
  • The EU and Azerbaijan: Mismatched Objectives
    Jun 19, 2013
    President Ilham Aliev of Azerbaijan is visiting Brussels this week for negotiations on the Southern Gas Corridor, which someday might transport gas from the Caspian Sea region to European markets. This oil-rich country in the south Caucasus plays a significant role in the European Union's energy security. That should in no way impede José Manuel Barroso, the European Commission's president, from being very clear that the need to meet human-rights standards will be a part of any relationship with the EU.
  • Letter to the President of the European Commission Regarding the Visit to Brussels of the President of Azerbaijan
    Jun 18, 2013
  • Azerbaijan: Bogus Drug Charges to Silence Critics
    May 27, 2013
    Azerbaijani authorities are using spurious drug possession charges to lock up political activists critical of the government. Human Rights Watch documented four recent cases, in three of which the detainees alleged ill-treatment in police custody.
  • Extractive Industries: A New Accountability Agenda
    May 21, 2013
    The Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) was founded in 2003 with the goal of strengthening governance by increasing transparency over revenues from the oil, gas, and mining sectors. EITI has contributed to much greater disclosures of information and helped spur dialogue in many countries. But EITI has not made progress toward its ultimate purpose of enhancing accountability in resource-rich countries. An independent evaluation commissioned by EITI in 2011 concluded, “EITI has not been a significant driver of change. While transparency has improved, accountability does not appear to have changed much.” The evaluation attributed this problem to the absence of a coherent strategic vision, explaining that without clarity on how publicizing credible data on natural resource revenues would lead to better governance, EITI would not be able to direct its efforts to where they would be most likely to deliver results.
  • Azerbaijan: Reject Legislative Amendments
    May 16, 2013
    Recent amendments to Azerbaijani legislation violate the government’s international commitments and would limit free expression. President Ilham Aliyev should veto the amendments and ensure that no one is punished for exercising fundamental rights.
  • Azerbaijan: Stop Forced Evictions, Illegal Demolitions
    May 6, 2013
    The Azerbaijani authorities should immediately stop its campaign of forced evictions and demolitions in the capital, Baku, Human Rights Watch said today. The government should also guarantee fair compensation to homeowners and residents, including those already evicted.
  • Universal Periodic Review: HRW Submission on Azerbaijan
    Apr 18, 2013
    Azerbaijan’s human rights record has been on a continual decline since the previous UPR in 2009, casting serious doubt on the government’s willingness to abide by its commitments and to reform. The long-repressive atmosphere for independent journalists, political activists, and human rights defenders has grown acutely hostile, with authorities using imprisonment as a tool for political retribution and clamping down on freedom of assembly, breaking up peaceful demonstrations, often violently.
  • Azerbaijan: Authorities Targeting Youth Activists
    Apr 2, 2013
    An Azerbaijan court sent three political activists to pretrial detention in recent days on dubious charges of illegal weapons possession.
  • Azerbaijan: Unnecessary Police Force at Peaceful Protests
    Mar 12, 2013
    Azerbaijani police used unnecessary force to disperse a peaceful protest in the capital, Baku, on March 10, 2013.
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