Your trusted source

Human Rights Watch (HRW) released its annual report on the human rights situation in the world in 2024.

The part concerning Azerbaijan highlighted that the Azerbaijani government intensified its crackdown against domestic critics even as it hosted the United Nations Climate Change Conference COP29 in November.

"In the months before the conference, authorities arrested dozens of individuals, including journalists, human rights defenders, and activists, on politically motivated charges. They continued to interfere with rights to freedom of expression, association, and assembly, and arbitrarily implemented laws paralyzing civil society. Torture and ill-treatment in custody also persisted," HRW said.

"Snap presidential and parliamentary elections in February and September, respectively, failed to meet standards for a free and fair vote. International observers found them  “marked by the stifling of critical voices” and “devoid of competition.”

"In January, the Council of Europe’s Parliamentary Assembly resolved not to ratify the credentials of the Azerbaijani delegation, citing the government’s failure to fulfil “major commitments” it undertook when it joined the Council of Europe. 

"Azerbaijan and Armenia continued talks over a final peace deal, with continued border tensions sporadically escalating to clashes. Despite its stated commitments, Azerbaijan has not taken meaningful steps to ensure the right to return in safety and dignity for ethnic Armenians who fled Nagorno-Karabakh in September 2023 or to restore their property rights. A September 2023 Azerbaijani military operation in Nagorno-Karabakh re-established Azerbaijani control over the area," reads the report.