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“These elections took place in a restrictive political and legal environment, the consequence of which was a lack of political pluralism coupled with the subdued and low-key campaign, all of which undermined the electoral process…”

(Lack of) Human Rights and Freedoms

Lawyer Rufat Safarov stated that Sweden’s Ambassador to Azerbaijan, Mr. Tobias Lorentzson, met with the family of prisoner of conscience Famil Khalilov. Diplomats from the embassies of Latvia and Estonia in Azerbaijan also attended the meeting. First-degree disabled person Famil Khalilov was deported from Sweden along with his family and was imprisoned in Baku upon arrival. Khalilov is currently continuing his hunger strike and has not eaten for 21 days in protest against his unjust detention. Khalilov argues that the reason for his detention is public criticism of government. Despite all the appeals from human rights defenders, the court has refused to place Khalilov under house arrest.

Another political prisoner, young researcher Fazil Gasimov, has been on a hunger strike for 83 days in protest against his unlawful imprisonment. He is attempting to draw attention to his situation, the silence of the local society, and the international audience by risking his life. Gasimov believes he has been falsely accused, is innocent, and has suffered severe psychological and physical abuse. He is demanding the restoration of his right to freedom. He met with his brother, Nazim Gasimov, thanking those who mention his name, defend him, and speak on his behalf.

Azadliq newspaper reports that in the past two days, police in Azerbaijan have shot and killed two citizens. Both incidents occurred in the Sabunchu district. On the night of September 3, 25-year-old Elshan Hakverdiyev was killed, and on September 4, in the evening, Akif Mammadov was shot dead with service weapons. In an official statement, the Ministry of Internal Affairs claims that both citizens allegedly resisted the police, and as a result, the police “neutralized” them. A month and a half ago, another person named Khosrov Ahmadov was also killed by the police in Hovsan. Before that, Ruhlan Ismayilov, who was accused of the raid on the “Bravo” supermarket, was shot and killed by the police officers in the house where he was staying.

In 2023, 147 incidents involving attacks on media workers, bloggers, editorial offices of traditional and online publications, and online activists were recorded in Azerbaijan. This information comes from a report published on September 4 by the International Foundation, “Justice for Journalists,” detailing violations of journalists’ rights in former Soviet countries over the past year. The data in the report was compiled using open sources. The report notes that “since the end of 2023, unprecedented persecution against independent and critical media and journalists has begun. As a result, more than 20 journalists and media workers are currently imprisoned in Azerbaijan, most independent online media outlets have been shut down, and any form of pluralism is under severe threat.” The Foundation’s report highlights that the largest attack last year occurred while journalists were covering a protest by residents of Soyudlu village in the Gadabay region. The document also states that the government has attempted to silence its critics abroad.

Snap Parliamentary Elections

According to Abzas Media, on election day, the observers present in the voting room were actually civilian employees of the detention center. It has been reported that foreign nationals held at Baku Investigative Detention Center were also involved in voting during the snap parliamentary elections held on September 1. According to the source of Abzas Media, prior to the election, specific cards were issued to individuals detained at the center in place of voter ID cards to enable participation in voting. However, these cards were not only given to those eligible to vote under local laws. “The cards had the prisoners’ photos, names, surnames, fathers’ names, signatures, stamps, and the signature of the institution’s head. We give the cards to the prisoners, they sign and return them, and then we give them back before they go to vote. These cards were also distributed to foreign nationals without voting rights, and some of them later participated in the election,” the source stated.

Vafa Naghi, an independent candidate for parliament from the 70th Neftchala electoral district, held a press conference regarding the elections. During the conference, which took place at the Musavat Party headquarters, she provided detailed information about the fraud she encountered in the recent elections.

In the lead-up to the snap parliamentary elections that concluded on Sunday in Azerbaijan, journalists and activists have once again been targeted. The human rights organization Amnesty International has highlighted pre-election detentions. Natalia Nozadze, the organization’s representative for the South Caucasus, stated that the alarming new arrests targeting critics of the Azerbaijani government should not go unnoticed. The international community must condemn this in the strongest terms: “In the past two weeks, during the election campaign, two prominent figures have been detained on false charges, while others have faced threats and pressures. Targeting journalists and activists is nothing more than an attempt to silence dissenting voices and stifle freedom of expression, especially the voices of those supporting peace with Armenia.” The organization adds that, two weeks before the snap parliamentary elections held on September 1, several government critics were detained in the context described as a “restricted political and legal environment” by OSCE’s Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights and the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly observers. On August 21, investigator and activist Bahruz Samadov was arrested and charged with “state treason” for his critical articles on Azerbaijan’s policies regarding Nagorno-Karabakh and connections with Armenian activists. “This follows the arrest of Igbal Abilov, a lawyer representing the Talysh minority, who was charged with ‘state treason’ in July. Both individuals remain in detention today,” the statement emphasizes.

The OSCE Observation Mission has shared its preliminary report on the parliamentary elections held in Azerbaijan on September 1. The report states that in Azerbaijan’s snap parliamentary elections, voters were not presented with genuine political alternatives, and the elections were held within a legal framework that restricted fundamental freedoms and media operations. The OSCE notes that the existing conditions did not allow for democratic elections. The Azerbaijan Popular Front Party (APFP) boycotted the elections, stating that there was no environment for free and fair elections in the country. Independent observers and journalists monitoring the voting process reported numerous violations. Unfortunately, there was no real political pluralism in these elections, and many candidates wishing to participate faced significant obstacles, as stated in the report. Impartiality was not ensured within election commissions, and restrictions made the work of many citizen observers impossible. In 45% of the 92 polling stations observed by the International Election Observation Mission, the vote counting was evaluated negatively. OSCE observers reported receiving information that public sector workers and others were forcibly taken to the election, raising concerns about voter intimidation and fear of repercussions for voting. Additionally, it was noted that the arrest of journalists and civil society activists, along with restrictive media legislation, has led to widespread self-censorship, severely limiting the scope of independent journalism. “These elections took place in a restrictive political and legal environment, the consequence of which was a lack of political pluralism coupled with the subdued and low-key campaign, all of which undermined the electoral process,” said Michael Creed, Special Co-ordinator and leader of the OSCE short-term observers. “Furthermore, the dominance of ruling party affiliates within election commissions, alongside restrictions on access for independent domestic observers, run contrary to the principles of transparency and inclusivity, which are at the heart of democratic elections“, he added. “In these elections, the lack of genuine choice and engagement that led to pervasive political apathy among the population was quite evident,” said Lucie Potůčková, Head of the OSCE PA delegation. “Equally, the alarming trends of ongoing restrictions on media outlets and increased pressure on non-governmental organizations, including arbitrary arrests, decisively stifle political discourse. Without substantial reforms and change, these issues will continue to undermine democracy and rule of law in the country.”

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