European Parliament adopts resolution condemning Azerbaijan, calls for targeted sanctions
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YEREVAN, DECEMBER 19, ARMENPRESS. During its plenary session on December 19, the European Parliament adopted the resolution on “The Continued repression of civil society and independent media in Azerbaijan” with 434 votes in favor, 30 against, and 89 abstentions.
The vote was preceded by a parliamentary debate on the same subject on 18 December.
Members of the European Parliament strongly condemn the repression of press freedom and the crackdown on dissent by the Aliyev regime, calling on the EU executive authorities to impose targeted sanctions against Azerbaijani officials who violate human rights.
The Parliament also calls on to suspend the 2022 Memorandum of Understanding on a Strategic Partnership in the Field of Energy.
The MEPs insist on Azerbaijan unconditionally releasing and dismissing all charges against human rights defenders, journalists, political and other activists prosecuted under fabricated and politically motivated charges.
The European Parliament has strongly condemned the ongoing crackdown on civil society, independent media and the political opposition in Azerbaijan. The resolution highlights the escalating repression since 2023, which has particularly intensified around the COP29 summit, and calls for the immediate release of all political prisoners.
The resolution also highlights the systematic violations of the human rights of prisoners, including inhumane conditions of detention, torture and targeted attacks on female political prisoners.
The resolution mentions 23 Armenian prisoners of war, including the former leaders of the unrecognized republic of Nagorno-Karabakh, and calls for their immediate release, along with all political prisoners in the country.
During the parliamentary debate on December 18, several parliamentarians raised the issue of the Armenian hostages, as well as the policy of aggression and human rights violations against the indigenous Armenian population of Nagorno-Karabakh.
In this context MEP Bert-Jan Ruissen called for a “change in the approach” of the European Parliament and increased sanctions against Azerbaijan particularly referencing the “forced deportation of Armenians from Nagorno-Karabakh”.
MEP Marina Mesure stated that human rights are systematically violated in Azerbaijan and it is one of the worst countries when it comes to press freedom. She mentioned that the Human Rights Watch has also documented torture and degrading treatment against prisoners who were detained after the operations in Nagorno-Karabakh and condemned a “policy of repression against the Armenian neighbors.”