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 …
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By U.S. Embassy Baku | 6 July, 2021 | Topics: Embassy, Europe & Eurasia, Human Rights, Policy, Political Affairs, Press Releases, U.S. & Azerbaijan
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 …
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By U.S. Embassy Baku | 28 May, 2021 | Topics: Europe & Eurasia, Fundamental Freedoms, Human Rights, Policy, Political Affairs, Press Releases, U.S. & Azerbaijan, U.S. Secretary of State
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 …
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By U.S. Embassy Baku | 6 May, 2021 | Topics: Ambassador, Embassy, Europe & Eurasia, Human Rights
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 …
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By U.S. Embassy Baku | 31 March, 2021 | Topics: Human Rights, Reports
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 …
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By U.S. Embassy Baku | 26 March, 2021 | Topics: Embassy, Europe & Eurasia, Human Rights, News, Policy
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 …
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By U.S. Embassy Baku | 20 March, 2021 | Topics: Fundamental Freedoms, Human Rights, Key Documents, Key Officials, News, Press Releases, U.S. & Azerbaijan
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 …
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By U.S. Embassy Baku | 4 September, 2020 | Topics: Embassy, Fundamental Freedoms, Human Rights, Press Releases
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 …
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By U.S. Embassy Baku | 24 April, 2020 | Topics: Embassy, Fundamental Freedoms, Human Rights, Press Releases
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 …
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By U.S. Embassy Baku | 12 March, 2020 | Topics: Human Rights, Reports
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 …
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By U.S. Embassy Baku | 22 October, 2019 | Topics: Embassy, Fundamental Freedoms, Human Rights, Key Documents, Key Officials, News, Political Affairs, Public Affairs, U.S. & Azerbaijan
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 …
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By U.S. Embassy Baku | 21 June, 2019 | Topics: Fundamental Freedoms, Human Rights, Official Reports, Reports
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, …
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By U.S. Embassy Baku | 20 June, 2019 | Topics: Human Rights, Official Reports, Reports
Deputy Chief of Mission William Gill hosted a lunch discussion to mark the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia
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By U.S. Embassy Baku | 17 May, 2019 | Topics: Deputy Chief of Mission, Events, Fundamental Freedoms, Gender Issues, Human Rights
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 …
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By U.S. Embassy Baku | 3 May, 2019 | Topics: Human Rights, Reports
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 …
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By U.S. Embassy Baku | 16 August, 2018 | Topics: Human Rights, Press Releases
The Azerbaijani constitution provides for a republic with a presidential form of government. DOWNLOAD REPORT
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By U.S. Embassy Baku | 1 May, 2018 | Topics: Human Rights, Press Releases, Reports
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 …
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By U.S. Embassy Baku | 27 March, 2018 | Topics: Europe & Eurasia, Human Rights, News, Political Affairs
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. …
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By U.S. Embassy Baku | 27 February, 2018 | Topics: Europe & Eurasia, Human Rights, Press Releases
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 …
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By U.S. Embassy Baku | 19 January, 2018 | Topics: Human Rights, Press Releases, U.S. Agencies
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. …
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By U.S. Embassy Baku | 13 January, 2018 | Topics: Human Rights, Political Affairs, Press Releases
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 …
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By U.S. Embassy Baku | 10 December, 2017 | Topics: Former U.S. Government Leaders, Human Rights, Press Releases | Tags: Rex Tillerson
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 …
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By U.S. Embassy Baku | 28 August, 2017 | Topics: Europe & Eurasia, Human Rights, News
