Dr Gubad Ibadoghlu, a renowned political economist and chairperson of the Azerbaijan Democracy and Prosperity Movement, has been arbitrarily detained and imprisoned in Azerbaijan since July 2023. The charges against him are fabricated and politically motivated, resulting from his civic activism and criticism of government corruption. Furthermore, he has been subjected to inhumane treatment, despite his delicate health condition. In this blog post, we will delve into the details and implications of the P9_TA(2023)0323 resolution of the European Parliament on his case and call for his immediate release.
Azerbaijan has been consistently criticized for its human rights violations and lack of democracy, as evident in previous resolutions of the European Parliament. Dr Gubad Ibadoghlu’s case is just one of 200 current political prisoners in Azerbaijan, including journalists, civil rights activists, and opposition politicians. Dr. Ibadoghlu’s primary crime has been his non-compliance with the government’s policies and his public criticism of widespread corruption. The criminal charges against him are baseless and fabricated and are, in fact, politically motivated, prohibiting him from his constitutional right to freedom of expression and actively participating in the country’s politics.
Since his arrest, Dr. Ibadoghlu has been subjected to inhumane treatment, and his health condition has significantly deteriorated due to the lack of proper medical attention. The ECtHR has also warned the Azerbaijani government regarding the necessity of urgent measures to ensure his health protection.
In response to the situation, the European Parliament adopted the P9_TA(2023)0323 resolution condemning Gubad Ibadoghlu’s arbitrary detention and calling for his immediate release. The resolution also urges the Azerbaijani authorities to release all political prisoners, independent journalists and human rights defenders, and stop extraterritorial repression. Furthermore, the resolution calls for an independent investigation into the reported ill-treatment of Dr. Ibadoghlu and urges the Azerbaijani authorities to lift the ban on his relatives leaving the country.
The resolution also calls on the EU Delegation to support Dr. Ibadoghlu’s case by observing his trial, visiting him in detention, and monitoring his health. The EU Delegation should also bring this issue to bilateral meetings and negotiations for a potential partnership agreement, which should not sign until freedom of all political prisoners is ensured.
Dr. Gubad Ibadoghlu’s case represents a broader concern regarding Azerbaijan’s systemic suppression of dissenting voices and human rights violations. The P9_TA(2023)0323 resolution of the European Parliament, calling for his release, is a significant step towards ensuring justice for not only Dr. Ibadoghlu but all political prisoners in Azerbaijan. It is crucial for the international community to maintain pressure on the Azerbaijani authorities to observe human rights, fulfill its commitments to democracy, and ensure the rule of law. Only then, can Azerbaijan have a free and safe environment for the peaceful exercise of the rights to freedom of expression, assembly, and association.
