PACE called on Azerbaijani authorities to release political prisoners
The Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) expressed concern at its meeting in Tallinn about the systematic suppression of dissent in Azerbaijan.
This practice, as noted in the organization's report, is carried out, among other things, through the adoption of legislation restricting freedom of speech. The application of these laws, according to the report's authors, has led to the curtailment of independent journalistic activity, the suppression of genuine political opposition, and the restriction of civil society freedom and the right to expression.
The Committee also condemned the continued detention and criminal prosecution of Anar Mammadli, a prominent human rights activist, election observer, and laureate of the 2014 Václav Havel Human Rights Prize.
PACE also expressed concern about the significant increase in the number of political prisoners, which reached 328 by May 2026. The issue of Azerbaijan's failure to comply with several key decisions of the European Court of Human Rights was also highlighted.
Representatives of the Parliamentary Assembly called on the Azerbaijani authorities to cease threats and criminal prosecutions against individuals who have been subjected to pressure for their professional journalism, for publications exposing corruption, and for their commitment to democratic values. Furthermore, the need for the release of all individuals recognized as political prisoners was voiced.
