The U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee chair’s Senator Ben Cardin has raised a concern over Dr. Gubad Ibadoghlu’s illegal imprisonment. Dr. Ibadoghlu, an Azerbaijani dissident, has been detained for over 80 days, and his health has significantly deteriorated. On Twitter, Senator Ben Cardin expressed his concern and stated that human rights are of utmost importance to him when considering any assistance. Gubad Ibadoglu’s children, Ibad Bayramov, Emin Bayramov and Zhala Bayramova has also been tirelessly fighting for his father’s release. Here, will discuss the plight of Dr. Ibadoghlu and the actions taken by concerned individuals and organizations to secure his release.
“I am deeply concerned about unjustly jailed Azerbaijani dissident Dr. Gubad Ibadoghlu's health more than 80 days into his detention. He must be released. As Chair, #HumanRights is the main lens through which I consider approving any assistance.”
— Senate Foreign Relations Committee (@SFRCdems) October 12, 2023
-Chair @SenatorCardin https://t.co/oD5IH21Osr
Dr. Gubad Ibadoghlu is a well-known economist and political activist in Azerbaijan, who has been fighting for democracy and human rights in the country. Unfortunately, in July 2023, he was arrested on falsified charges of counterfeiting money. These charges are widely politically motivated and designed to silence him. Since his arrest, Dr. Ibadoghlu has been kept in inhumane conditions and denied medical treatment, which has caused a significant deterioration in his health.
Senator Ben Cardin, the Chair of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, is deeply concerned about Dr. Ibadoghlu’s imprisonment. He has been a vocal advocate for human rights and has expressed his concern for Dr. Ibadoghlu’s health and well-being on Twitter. Senator Cardin’s statement shows that he considers human rights as a top priority in any assistance that he provides.
The Azerbaijani government’s politically motivated detention of Azerbaijani opposition leader and economist, Gubad Ibadoghlu, brings further attention to the country’s atrocious record of suppressing independent voices. pic.twitter.com/6rdC3ukl5c
— Senator Ben Cardin (@SenatorCardin) August 23, 2023
The campaign to release Dr. Ibadoghlu has also been taken up by his son, Ibad Bayramov. Mr. Bayramov has been relentlessly working towards securing his father’s release, and he has been vocal about the inhumane conditions in which his father is being held. Mr. Bayramov’s statement on Twitter has gained attention from the public and human rights organizations worldwide.
The Azerbaijani government has been cracking down on political dissidents and journalists for years. Human rights organizations have documented numerous cases of torture, unlawful detention, and other human rights abuses. These cases have been widely criticized by human rights organizations worldwide. However, the Azerbaijani authorities continue to violate human rights with impunity.
Statement is delivered by @Crude_NGO on deteriorating condition of Azerbaijan's political prisoner scholar & anti-corruption activist Dr. Gubad; civil society activists demonstrate solidarity, wearing t-shirts with words "fighting corruption is not a crime." #WHDC2023 #FreeGubad pic.twitter.com/9nNFZNl7Ae
— Zhala Bayramova #experienceazerbaijan #freegubad (@BayramovaZhala) October 9, 2023
📢 Suppression of Academic Voices
— Emin #FreeGubad (@EminBayramli_) October 12, 2023
🗓️ Oc. 12, 2 PM
This event is part of a month-long advocacy campaign to free Dr. Gubad Ibadoghlu and will coincide with the 75th anniversary of the signing of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
Register here:https://t.co/zlV8oEv7hw
Dr. Gubad Ibadoghlu’s case highlights the need for international attention towards human rights abuses in Azerbaijan. The Azerbaijani authorities must immediately release Dr. Ibadoghlu and other political prisoners and ensure that their human rights are protected. The efforts of Senator Ben Cardin and Ibad Bayramov to raise awareness about Dr. Ibadoghlu’s situation are commendable. It is crucial that politicians and other public figures continue to speak out against human rights abuses in Azerbaijan and support the efforts to secure the release of political prisoners. Only then can we hope to see a future where human rights are valued, and basic freedoms are respected in Azerbaijan.