Source: European Parliament
The rule of law and human rights in Azerbaijan remain a priority for the EU and are at the core of the EU-Azerbaijan bilateral relations.
The EU has repeatedly voiced concerns regarding the unsettling rise of arrests of independent journalists, human rights defenders, and political activists on politically motivated charges in Azerbaijan.
The EU has called on the Azerbaijani authorities to ensure that their actions adhere to the relevant obligations under domestic and international law.
In this context, the EU has consistently called for the release of all persons imprisoned for exercising their fundamental rights. These messages have been conveyed publicly and bilaterally at all levels, including at the level of the High Representative/Vice-President[1].
The EU has closely followed the issue of Karabakh Armenian detainees held in Azerbaijan and continues to call on Azerbaijan to respect due process and the rights of detainees and to ensure transparency. The EU has also advocated to address these issues as part of confidence-building measures between the parties.
Any Common Foreign Security Policy decision relating to sanctions is for the Council to make by unanimity.
- [1] https://www.eeas.europa.eu/eeas/azerbaijan-statement-spokesperson-human-rights-situation_en; https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/CRE-10-2024-10-22-ITM-020_EN.html; https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/CRE-10-2024-12-18-ITM-019-03_EN.html;
https://www.eeas.europa.eu/delegations/council-europe/1506th-meeting-committee-ministers-11-september-2024-eu-statement-exchange-views-european-committee_en?s=51