Political prisoners called on the European Commission to pay attention to human rights problems in Azerbaijan.

On December 18, 2025, the European Parliament adopted a Resolution "On the arbitrary arrests and sentencing of scientists Bahruz Samadov and Igbal Abilov in Azerbaijan." The document notes that "the number of people arrested in Azerbaijan for political reasons this year has reached 400." The European Parliament has demanded that the Azerbaijani authorities immediately release political prisoners, including Bahruz Samedov, Igbal Abilov, and economist Gubad Ibadoglu. Previously, in April 2024, the European Parliament demanded the release of political prisoners in Azerbaijan and called on the EU to impose sanctions against Azerbaijani officials involved in human rights violations. Journalist Hafiz Babali, economist Fazil Gasimov, and activists Afiyaddin Mammadov, Samir Ashurov, and Mehman Aliyev, who founded the Committee for the Protection of Political Prisoners (CPPP) in Colony No. 2 in Baku, sent an open letter to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. In the letter, they expressed concern about the human rights situation in Azerbaijan and called on the European Commission to take measures to implement the European Parliament resolutions on Azerbaijani political prisoners.

The Azerbaijani authorities, seeking to establish a strategic partnership with EU countries, are arresting scientists, journalists, NGO representatives, and activists for political reasons, they stated in the letter.

“The government unlawfully interferes in the courts to deliver unfair decisions, suppresses political freedoms, punishes journalists for their professional activities, disrespects academic freedom, and demonstrates intolerance for critical opinions. Political repression has led to the weakening of civil society, the destruction of democratic institutions, the closure of opposition political parties and the arrest of their leaders, as well as the closure of a number of independent media outlets and non-governmental organizations,” the message reads, in particular.

The authors of the appeal point out that the Azerbaijani government does not comply with the European Convention on Human Rights and does not fulfill its international human rights obligations, but at the same time actively cooperates with the European Commission in the energy sector.

“We positively assess the elevation of relations between Azerbaijan and EU member states to a strategic partnership, as well as cooperation with the European Commission in the energy sector. However, we are deeply disappointed that the European Parliament resolutions on the human rights situation in Azerbaijan remain on paper, while the European "The commission is not mobilizing its resources to address the issue of political prisoners in the country," the appeal states.

The political prisoners recalled that respect for human rights and freedoms, democratic principles, and the rule of law "is a key feature of European culture." "The European Commission must not remain indifferent to the politically motivated arrests of those who uphold these values ​​in Azerbaijan. According to reports from international human rights organizations, the number of political prisoners in Azerbaijan reaches 400," the prisoners note.

The European Union does indeed have leverage over the Azerbaijani authorities, noted a Baku expert who did not wish to be named.

"Europe depends on Azerbaijani oil and gas, but this dependence is not critical. On the other hand, Azerbaijan also depends on Europe, since it is the largest market for Azerbaijan's energy resources. It's just that, in the context of international tension and the EU's confrontation with Russia, European leaders prioritize energy and geopolitics over human rights. Moreover, Azerbaijan is a key link in the East-West transport corridor that bypasses Russia, the expansion of which promises great benefits for Europeans. Azerbaijan is also a gateway to Central Asia. Therefore, Europeans prefer to speak to official Baku in the language of persuasion and refrain from imposing sanctions against "human rights violators, as is the case with Belarus," the analyst told a "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

"Caucasian Knot" also reported that the human rights campaign "End Repression in Azerbaijan" stated that Brussels' policy toward Baku is not based on democratic values, but on practical interests. Campaign participants called on the EU to link energy cooperation to the release of political prisoners and respect for human rights in Azerbaijan.