UN Special Rapporteur Condemns Detention of Rights Defenders in Azerbaijan

“In recent months, I have witnessed an alarming wave of arrests and criminal cases against human rights defenders and journalists in Azerbaijan,” Lawlor stated.

The UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders, Mary Lawlor, has voiced serious concern over the ongoing detention and prosecution of six human rights defenders and journalists in Azerbaijan.

“In recent months, I have witnessed an alarming wave of arrests and criminal cases against human rights defenders and journalists in Azerbaijan,” Lawlor stated. She highlighted two specific cases she has brought to the attention of the Azerbaijani government, which form part of this troubling trend.

The cases raised by Lawlor involve prominent human rights figures, including Anar Mammadli, chair of the Election Monitoring and Democracy Studies Center, and journalists associated with Abzas Media, a platform dedicated to human rights issues and corruption investigations. The detained individuals face charges under Article 206.3.2 of the Criminal Code for allegedly smuggling money by a group of persons by prior conspiracy, with potential prison sentences of up to eight years.

“Anti-corruption investigations, independent election monitoring, and international human rights advocacy are all legitimate human rights work,” Lawlor emphasized. “Retaliation for this work and for exercising freedom of expression is a clear violation of international human rights law.”

Lawlor also expressed alarm over the seizure of electronic devices and documents from the Abzas Media office and the homes of the detained journalists and human rights defenders, which could compromise their sources in anti-corruption investigations. She further noted the alleged unauthorized searches of Mammadli’s home and his parents' residence, along with the reported restrictions on the detainees' access to legal representation and their families.

Moreover, the Special Rapporteur highlighted the freezing of bank accounts belonging to the relatives of the arrested activists and requested updates on investigations into the alleged ill-treatment and enforced disappearance of Ulvi Hasanli, Sevinj Abbasova, and journalist Nargiz Absalamova.

“Azerbaijan’s failure to restore justice in the Mammadli case for over six years exposes the lack of effective remedy within the country and raises concerns that violations of the rights of human rights defenders may be recurring,” Lawlor remarked.

While acknowledging that the Azerbaijani government has responded to her concerns, Lawlor expressed dissatisfaction with the dismissal of allegations related to Abzas Media. She urged the government to ensure that the ongoing investigation fully complies with its human rights obligations.

Lawlor reiterated that all human rights defenders and journalists in Azerbaijan must be able to work freely and in a safe environment without facing intimidation and harassment.