PACE rapporteur calls for immediate release of Anar Mammadli

The General Rapporteur on political prisoners of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), Azadeh Rojhan (Sweden, SOC), has called for the immediate release of Azerbaijani human rights defender Anar Mammadli.

In a statement marking the second anniversary of Mammadli’s detention, Rojhan described him as a prominent election monitor and civil society activist, as well as the recipient of the 2014 Václav Havel Human Rights Prize. She noted that he is currently facing multiple charges widely viewed as retaliation for his civic engagement, independent election monitoring, and cooperation with international organizations.

Mammadli was most recently arrested on April 29, 2024, marking the second time he has been detained in connection with his human rights work. He was previously imprisoned following the 2013 presidential elections in Azerbaijan due to his election monitoring activities.

Rojhan recalled that the European Court of Human Rights had ruled that Mammadli’s earlier prosecution was intended to silence and punish him for his work as a civil society activist. She stressed that the current case appears to follow a similar pattern and raises serious concerns about Azerbaijan’s compliance with its international obligations.

According to the rapporteur, Mammadli’s detention should also be seen within the broader context of increasing pressure on civil society, independent media, and human rights defenders in Azerbaijan. She warned that the use of criminal law in such cases risks undermining the rule of law and the protection of fundamental freedoms.

Rojhan called on the Azerbaijani authorities to immediately release Anar Mammadli and to promptly review the charges against him in line with the country’s obligations under the European Convention on Human Rights.