Every year on December 10 the world takes a moment to reflect on the day that the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. This document, adopted over 70 years ago, proclaims that all people, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, gender, language, political or other opinion, national or social origin, …
Read More»
08/29/2021 10:22 AM EDT Office of the Spokesperson The text of the following statement was released initially by the Governments of the United States of America, Albania, Australia, Belgium, Belize, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Cabo Verde, Canada, Central African Republic, Colombia, Costa Rica, Côte d’Ivoire, Croatia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominican Republic, El …
Read More»
We are deeply worried about Afghan women and girls, their rights to education, work and freedom of movement. We call on those in positions of power and authority across Afghanistan to guarantee their protection. Afghan women and girls, as all Afghan people, deserve to live in safety, security and dignity. Any form of discrimination and …
Read More» July 6, 2021 The United States welcomes the July 3 release by Azerbaijan of 15 Armenian detainees and their return to Armenia. We also welcome Armenia’s decision to share information with Azerbaijan that will facilitate humanitarian demining. These actions follow Azerbaijan’s June 12 release of Armenian detainees and Armenia’s decision to provide Azerbaijan information to …
Read More» The United States is concerned by recent developments along the international border between Armenia and Azerbaijan, including the detention of several Armenian soldiers by Azerbaijani forces. We call on both sides to urgently and peacefully resolve this incident. We also continue to call on Azerbaijan to release immediately all prisoners of war and other detainees, and we …
Read More»
Today, the U.S. Embassy raised the Pride flag in commemoration of IDAHOT Day- the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia. The United States is a country that celebrates diversity, and LGBTI people are an important and valued part of our community. In the United States, openly LGBT people are defending their country in the …
Read More» The United States Embassy in Azerbaijan welcomes the Azerbaijani Bar Association’s decision to reinstate human rights lawyers Shahla Humbatova and Irada Javadova. In democracies around the world, human rights lawyers play a vital role in protecting human rights, democracy, and rule of law. Thanks to the courageous efforts of Ms. Humbatova, Ms. Javadova, and …
Read More»
ANNOUNCEMENT: The Department of State will release an addendum to this report in mid 2021 that expands the subsection on Women in Section 6 to include a broader range of issues related to reproductive rights. The constitution provides for a republic with a presidential form of government. Legislative authority is vested in the Milli Mejlis (National …
Read More»
March 26, 2021 Disbarment of 2020 IWOC Recipient Shahla Humbatova I am disturbed that human rights defense lawyer Shahla Humbatova of Azerbaijan was disbarred from the Azerbaijani bar on the eve of International Women’s Day, a year after receiving the Secretary of State’s International Woman of Courage (IWOC) award. Her work, and the work …
Read More»
The United States welcomes the broad March 18 pardon and release of more than 30 secular and religious opposition figures, all of whom Azerbaijani NGOs consider to have been incarcerated for exercising their fundamental freedoms. They include journalist Elchin Ismayilli and many individuals unjustly incarcerated after the 2015 Nardaran events. In the spirit of the …
Read More»
The U.S. Embassy is disappointed by the September 3 conviction of Tofiq Yagublu on charges that appear to have been fabricated. Mr. Yagublu was denied numerous elements of due process throughout his detention and trial. We call on the Azerbaijani Government to reverse the string of recent politically-motivated detentions, reevaluate Mr. Yagublu’s case, and respect the fundamental …
Read More» The United States Embassy in Azerbaijan welcomes the Supreme Court’s decision to acquit Chairperson of the Republican Alternative Party Ilgar Mammadov, in accordance with the European Court of Human Rights 2017 ruling. The Embassy also welcomes the acquittal of human rights defender Rasul Jafarov and would welcome further positive steps, such as ending the intimidation and …
Read More» Executive Summary The Azerbaijani constitution provides for a republic with a presidential form of government. Legislative authority is vested in the Milli Mejlis (National Assembly). The presidency is the predominant branch of government, exceeding the judiciary and legislature. The election observation mission of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) concluded that the …
Read More»
The United States Embassy in Azerbaijan joins the European Union in strongly condemning the violence used by police to disperse and arrest participants and bystanders during the peaceful October 19 protest in Baku. We call on the government to credibly investigate reports of police violence, hold accountable those responsible, and release expeditiously those who remain …
Read More»
The constitution stipulates the separation of state and religion and equality of all religions. It also protects the right of individuals to express their religious beliefs and practice religious rituals, provided these do not violate public order or public morality. The law prohibits the government from interfering in religious activities, but it also states the …
Read More»
The Government of Azerbaijan does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking but is making significant efforts to do so. These efforts included identifying more victims and providing thorough victim assistance at the government-run trafficking shelter and victim assistance center. The government also increased awareness campaigns for Azerbaijani migrants traveling abroad, …
Read More»
Deputy Chief of Mission William Gill hosted a lunch discussion to mark the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia
Read More»
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The Azerbaijani constitution provides for a republic with a presidential form of government. Legislative authority is vested in the Milli Mejlis (National Assembly). The presidency is the predominant branch of government, exceeding the judiciary and legislature. The election observation mission of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) concluded that the …
Read More»
The United States welcomes the decision of the Azerbaijani Court of Appeal to release Republican Alternative Party Chairman Ilgar Mammadov, whose conviction and imprisonment for over five years raised serious concerns about the rule of law in Azerbaijan. We call on the government to drop the charges against him, in keeping with its international obligations …
Read More» The Azerbaijani constitution provides for a republic with a presidential form of government. DOWNLOAD REPORT
Read More» On March 4, Russia used a military-grade nerve agent to attempt to murder a British citizen and his daughter in Salisbury. This attack on our Ally the United Kingdom put countless innocent lives at risk and resulted in serious injury to three people, including a police officer. In response to this outrageous violation of the …
Read More» Three years ago, opposition leader Boris Nemtsov was assassinated just outside the Kremlin. As a leading figure of Russia’s democratic movement, a former Russian regional governor, and an energy minister as well as a deputy prime minister, Boris Nemtsov committed his life to public service and the goal of a freer and more prosperous Russia. …
Read More»
Delegation of Canada to the OSCE / United States Mission to the OSCE Joint Statement on the Sentencing of Afgan Mukhtarli in Azerbaijan – As delivered by Political Counselor Gregory Macris to the Permanent Council, Vienna, January 18, 2018 In light of our shared OSCE commitments and international obligations to respect freedom of expression, Canada …
Read More»
The United States is disturbed by the January 12 sentencing of Azerbaijani journalist Afgan Mukhtarli to a six-year prison term. Mr. Mukhtarli was reportedly abducted in Georgia on May 30 and subsequently arrested in Azerbaijan on smuggling and related charges, widely considered to be politically motivated. We urge the government of Azerbaijan to release Mr. …
Read More»
Sixty-nine years ago today, in the aftermath of World War II, the UN General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights to recognize and elevate the inherent dignity and equal and inalienable rights of all individuals, and that these rights are the foundation of freedom, justice, and peace in the world. For those who …
Read More» Press Statement Heather Nauert Department Spokesperson Washington, DC August 26, 2017 We are deeply troubled by the August 24 arrest and three month pretrial detention of Mehman Aliyev, the prominent editor-in-chief of Azerbaijan’s only remaining independent media outlet, Turan Information Agency. Other restrictive actions against Turan, including freezing its bank accounts and initiating tax evasion …
Read More»