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Azerbaijani authorities have repeatedly ignored international and European warnings and recommendations to improve the human rights situation in the country. It is time for States to act when they attend the UN Human Rights Council next week.

Alaif Hasanov has fought at every level of the court system against his expulsion from the Azerbaijani Bar Association, which came as a result of him defending political prisoners.

The President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, met top EU officials in Brussels on 6 February. NGOs viewed the visit as an opportunity for the EU to send a clear message on human rights.

The Council of Europe has “deplored the use of criminal laws against journalists and bloggers” in Azerbaijan, with the Parliamentary Assembly voting overwhelmingly for strong amendments in its recent resolution on protecting journalists.

Some 14 international human rights organisations, including Human Rights House Foundation, issued the following joint statement in response to the abduction and reported torture of Azerbaijani journalist Mehman Huseynov.

Video blogger and chairperson of the Institute for Reporters` Freedom and Safety (IRFS), Mehman Huseynov, was pushed into a vehicle in Baku, Azerbaijan, on 9 January. He was arrested by police agents on administrative charges of resisting police. Updated: Mehman Huseynov has been released.

Some 18 international organisations, including Human Rights House Foundation, have issued the following joint statement calling on the Azerbaijani authorities to cease the politically motivated prosecution and torture of journalists, repeal the new laws further criminalising dissent and free speech, cease criminal charges against activists, and allow the public unfettered access to independent sources of news and opinion.

The United Nations Human Rights Committee issued recommendations following its review of Azerbaijan in October 2016. Those recommendations provide a roadmap of needed human rights reforms the State must undertake to bring itself in line with its international obligations and commitments.

The United Nations Human Rights Committee reviewed Azerbaijan on 20-21 October. The previous review in 2009 highlighted the abusive use of criminal charges to detain journalists and activists, as well as legislation on defamation. Azerbaijan has for years upheld systematic repression of civil society including, arbitrary detention, restrictive laws against organisations, and the violation of human rights.