Since 2023, the Azerbaijani authorities have intensified repression against human rights defenders, lawyers, journalists, opposition politicians, activists and scientists. Torture and ill-treatment are widespread in places of detention. This was reported by the Norwegian Human Rights House Foundation (HRH) in a report entitled “The Growing Human Rights Crisis in Azerbaijan”.

Human rights activists paid attention to many political prisoners in Azerbaijan. Among them are social activist Anar Mammadli, economist Gubad Ibadoglu, journalists and activists arrested in the cases of the Toplum TV channel, Abzas Media and Channel 13. In addition, the study mentions trade union activists Afiyaddin Mammadov, Moheddin Orujov, Elvin Mustafayev, young researchers Igbal Abilov and Bahruz Samadov.

HRH called on the international community to demand that the Azerbaijani authorities release all illegally detained persons, ensure the full restoration of their civil and political rights and an end to the persecution of critical individuals in Azerbaijan. In addition, the Norwegian foundation stressed the need to lift restrictive legislation on non-governmental organizations and the media.