European Parliament resolution of 14 September 2023 on the case of Dr Gubad Ibadoghlu, imprisoned in Azerbaijan (2023/2832(RSP))
Date: 2023-09-14
Institutions: European Parliament
Subjects: Azerbaijan, EU restrictive measure, cruel and degrading treatment, freedom of assembly, freedom of association, freedom of expression, human rights, political opposition, political prisoner, therapeutics








C_202401763EN.000101.fmx.xml












Official Journal of the European Union


EN
Series C













C/2024/1763


22.3.2024






P9_TA(2023)0323
The case of Dr Gubad Ibadoghlu, imprisoned in Azerbaijan
European Parliament resolution of 14 September 2023 on the case of Dr Gubad Ibadoghlu, imprisoned in Azerbaijan (2023/2832(RSP))
(C/2024/1763)



The European Parliament,






—


having regard to its previous resolutions on Azerbaijan,










—


having regard to Rules 144(5) and 132(4) of its Rules of Procedure,










A.


whereas Gubad Ibadoghlu, a renowned political economist and prominent opposition figure, was brutally attacked and arbitrarily detained on 23 July 2023 and remains in prison on dubious charges, having limited contact with his family and lawyer and reportedly being subjected to inhumane treatment;










B.


whereas he is known for his criticism of Azerbaijan’s Government, particularly as regards corruption, inefficient management of public finances and lack of budgetary transparency; whereas he is the Chairman of the Azerbaijan Democracy and Prosperity Movement, which has consistently been denied registration;










C.


whereas Gubad Ibadoghlu faces a prison sentence of up to 12 years on fabricated charges;










D.


whereas he reportedly suffers from serious health conditions requiring medical attention; whereas on 5 September 2023 the ECtHR adopted temporary interim measures ordering Azerbaijan’s Government to take urgent measures to ensure the protection of his health; whereas his requests for house arrest have been refused;










E.


whereas credible independent organisations currently list as many as 200 political prisoners in Azerbaijan, including journalists, civil rights activists and opposition politicians; whereas Azerbaijani human rights activists, such as Mahammad Mirzali, are also threatened outside national borders;













1.


Demands the immediate and unconditional release of Gubad Ibadoghlu; insists that his immediate access to adequate medical treatment and medication be ensured; underlines that the charges against him are trumped up, result from his civic activism and are politically motivated;












2.


Calls on the VP/HR, the EEAS and the Member States to condemn the serious human rights violations and breaches of democracy in Azerbaijan, and to raise cases such as Gubad Ibadoghlu’s in all bilateral meetings and during negotiations for a future partnership agreement, the signing of which should be conditional on the release of all political prisoners;












3.


Urges the Azerbaijani authorities to release all political prisoners, independent journalists and human rights defenders, drop all politically motivated charges against them and stop extraterritorial repression;












4.


Calls for an independent investigation into the reported ill-treatment of Gubad Ibadoghlu and the violations of his due process rights; further calls on the Azerbaijani authorities to lift the ban on his relatives leaving the country;












5.


Calls on the EU Delegation to support Gubad Ibadoghlu’s case by observing his trial, visiting him in detention and monitoring his health;












6.


Calls on Azerbaijan to protect its citizens’ human rights and ensure a free and safe environment for the peaceful exercise of the rights to freedom of expression, assembly and association;












7.


Calls for EU sanctions under the EU Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime to be imposed on Azerbaijani officials who have committed serious human rights violations;












8.


Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, the governments and parliaments of the Member States and the President, Government and Parliament of Azerbaijan.






ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/C/2024/1763/oj
ISSN 1977-091X (electronic edition)