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PACE Calls on Azerbaijan to Fulfil Its Commitments

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On June 24, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) adopted a resolution entitled “Silencing Critical Voices in Azerbaijan.” The resolution was approved by 68 votes in favor, 8 against, and 6 abstentions.

The resolution expresses serious concern about the state of human rights and fundamental freedoms in Azerbaijan. According to the document, as of May 2026, the number of political prisoners in the country had risen to 328. It also highlights the large number of judgments of the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) concerning Azerbaijan that remain unimplemented.

PACE notes that restrictive legislation adopted in recent years has significantly curtailed the activities of independent journalists, the political opposition, civil society organizations, and advocates of freedom of expression.

The resolution contains a number of recommendations to the Azerbaijani authorities. The Assembly calls for an end to the persecution of individuals targeted because of their journalistic work, anti-corruption investigations, democratic views, or human rights activities, and demands the immediate release of those detained on such grounds. It also calls for the release of all persons considered political prisoners under the criteria set out in PACE Resolution 1900.

The document emphasizes that the Azerbaijani authorities should not use the absence of a parliamentary delegation to PACE as a pretext for avoiding their obligations to the Council of Europe. It further urges the National Assembly (Milli Majlis) to restore dialogue with PACE and to engage constructively in addressing existing concerns.

The Assembly stresses that “effective cooperation with all institutions of the Council of Europe and full use of this partnership are in Azerbaijan’s own interests.”

It should be recalled that the credentials of Azerbaijan’s delegation to PACE were not ratified in 2024. The decision was justified by concerns that Azerbaijan had failed to fully comply with its commitments regarding human rights, democracy, and the rule of law.

In response, the Azerbaijani authorities announced the suspension of cooperation with PACE. In addition, several PACE members who voted in favor of restricting the Azerbaijani delegation’s credentials were placed on a government “blacklist” and barred from entering the country.