Human rights in Azerbaijan

International organizations have often said that Azerbaijan may not always follow the rules for human rights that countries agreed to in international law.

In 2013, Human Rights Watch reported that Azerbaijan put people in jail and treated them badly just for speaking up or defending others’ rights. By 2019, they described the situation as very bad, pointing out strict government control that limits people’s freedom to speak, meet, and join groups together. During a big fight in 2020 over the area called Nagorno-Karabagh, the United Nations noted that some very serious actions happened against people from a certain background.

These reports show that keeping everyone safe and treating people fairly remains a big challenge in Azerbaijan.

Constitutional protections

The Constitution of Azerbaijan includes 48 articles that talk about important human and civil rights. These rights cover things like human rights, property rights, equality rights, and freedom of speech, among others.

In 2001, Azerbaijan created a special law to help protect people’s rights. This law set up a position called the Commissioner for Human Rights, also known as the Ombudsman, to support fairness and justice for everyone.

Ethnic cleansing

The country has been accused of forcing people to leave their homes. In 2023, this was done by blocking a key road and moving into an area, which caused many people from a certain group to leave.

Rights of minorities

During the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, some media often spoke badly about Armenians. Groups working for peace were sometimes criticized and faced problems.

The Lezgin people sometimes feel pressured to act like others to avoid trouble in jobs and school.

The Talysh people have faced difficulties keeping their culture and getting good education because their area has not received much support. After trying to create their own region called the Talysh-Mughan Autonomous Republic, some Talysh leaders faced tough treatment from authorities.

Freedom of religion

Main article: Freedom of religion in Azerbaijan

In Azerbaijan, people do not have much freedom to practice their religion. The government there tries to control all religious activities, especially those that might challenge its control. Most people in Azerbaijan are Muslim, but the government watches and limits religious groups that operate without its approval. Religious leaders cannot get involved in politics, and the government sometimes closes down places of worship or arrests religious leaders it does not like. While people are allowed to change their religion, trying to convince others to join a new religion is not permitted.

Effect of international treaties

Further information: Azerbaijan in the Council of Europe

Azerbaijan joined important international agreements to protect people's rights in 1998. In 2001, it became a full member of the Council of Europe and agreed to follow rules that protect basic freedoms in 2002. People can ask a special court to help if they believe their rights were broken.

However, groups like Human Rights Watch have said that Azerbaijan still has big problems with fairness. They have spoken out about worries such as people being arrested without good reasons, held for long times without trial, and treated very badly. Even people who write news or speak out against the government sometimes face serious trouble.

Electoral rights

Azerbaijan was the first country in the East to give women the right to vote. On 21 July 1919, the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic passed a law allowing all citizens aged 20 and older to vote, before countries like the UK (1928), Spain, and Portugal (1931).

All citizens of Azerbaijan have the right to choose their leaders, vote in elections, and take part in referendums. The Parliament of Azerbaijan created rules for elections on 27 May 2003. However, many people believe recent elections were unfair and not done well. Reports say that the news often favors the government, and some leaders have been accused of unfair actions during voting. International groups have also pointed out problems with how elections were carried out.

Freedom of assembly and expression of political beliefs

Before May 2005, people in Azerbaijan did not have the right to gather freely. A rule was changed after many people spoke up, but it didn’t last long. Before elections later that year, the government did not allow opposition groups to hold protests in busy areas. Instead, special places far away were chosen for gatherings. Anyone who joined unsanctioned protests was arrested or hurt. Police sometimes held people to try to stop them from working for change.

Reports from groups like Human Rights Watch showed that rights to speak, gather, and join groups were getting worse in Azerbaijan. In 2020, after a big support event for the military, the president spoke against the main opposition party, the Popular Front Party of Azerbaijan. Soon after, many party members and journalists were arrested. International groups, including the U.S. State Department and Amnesty International, asked Azerbaijan to stop treating these people unfairly. By 2025, hundreds of people were in prison for their political beliefs.

Right to liberty and security

Some people in Azerbaijan have faced problems with their freedom. Many around the world have asked the country to let more people go free who were jailed for their beliefs. After joining a group of countries called the Council of Europe, Azerbaijan let some people out of prison, but others are still held without clear reasons.

In 2011, two men were arrested for helping organize protests similar to those in other countries. They were put in prison on different charges, and many groups spoke out saying they should be released. One of them was let go after almost a year. Later, more people were arrested for speaking out, and some reported being treated very badly while in prison. Over time, many of these people were released, which was seen as a positive step.

Freedom of the media

Main articles: Media of Azerbaijan and Media freedom in Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan is considered not free by Freedom House in its yearly check on how free the press is. The government uses many ways to limit what people can read or watch. Opposition and independent news outlets and journalists often have trouble printing or sharing their work. They may face big fines or even go to jail on made-up charges.

Most people in Azerbaijan watch TV, which is controlled by the government and shows only what the government wants. Because of this, many people do not get fair and true news about important issues. Some journalists have been put in jail by the government. The Committee to Protect Journalists says these charges are not real and are used for political reasons. International groups have said the government uses unfair methods to silence people who speak out against it. In recent years, several journalists from independent news organizations have been put on trial or jailed.

Corruption

Main article: Corruption in Azerbaijan

Corruption is a big problem in all parts of Azerbaijani politics. Many people are concerned about the wealth of the ruling family, especially because they have bought very expensive properties in places like Dubai and the United Arab Emirates.

To try to fight corruption, the government created a new system in 2012 called the Azerbaijan service assessment network, known as ASAN. This network makes it easier for people to get services from the government by providing many services in one place. It was the first system in the world to offer services from many different government offices instead of just one.

Azerbaijan also joined a plan in 2003 called the Istanbul Anti-Corruption Action Plan, which includes several countries. This plan helps countries review their laws and systems to better fight corruption. Azerbaijan has been taking part in these reviews regularly.

Forced evictions

Main article: Forced evictions in Azerbaijan

According to Human Rights Watch, starting in 2008, many people in Baku were forced to leave their homes to make space for new parks, business areas, and fancy homes. The city government planned this, but often didn’t give people enough notice or fair payment for their houses. People felt it was hard to get help from courts if they disagreed. The situation got worse in 2011 after Azerbaijan won the 2011 Eurovision Song Contest and prepared to host the 2012 one. Many were upset when hundreds of families had to leave for the Crystal Hall to be built.

LGBT rights

Main article: LGBT rights in Azerbaijan

LGBT people in Azerbaijan face many challenges that other people do not. Even though laws allow adults to have relationships with people of the same gender, there are no special rules to protect LGBT individuals from unfair treatment. Many people in Azerbaijan do not accept LGBT individuals, making it difficult for them to live openly. A group called ILGA-Europe has said that Azerbaijan offers the least protection for LGBT rights in Europe for many years.

Labour rights

The section provided does not contain any content about labour rights. Therefore, there is nothing to summarize for this section.

International reports

In May 2011, the European Parliament spoke out about problems with rights and freedoms in Azerbaijan, especially concerning people who spoke out against the government. They also noted some positive steps, like freeing two bloggers.

Later, in August 2022, a United Nations group talked about serious issues during a conflict in 2020. They were worried about how some people were treated during that time.

Situation in Nakhchivan

Human rights in the area of Nakhchivan, which is part of Azerbaijan, have been seen as very poor. In 2007, a news group called Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty called it "Azerbaijan's North Korea". For many years, one leader, Vasif Talibov, controlled the area until he stepped down in 2022. People have worried about unfair treatment by police, lack of freedom, and corruption.

Some believe that harsh rules used in Nakhchivan are later used in other parts of Azerbaijan.

Historical situation

This chart shows how Azerbaijan has been rated each year since 1991 in the Freedom in the World reports by Freedom House. The ratings go from 1, meaning "free," to 7, meaning "not free."¹