A Book About Torture!

A book documenting horrific instances of torture in Azerbaijan has been written and published in English. In the next phase, we plan to have it translated and published in other languages as well.

The book consists of several chapters, structured both chronologically and by individual incidents and processes. It is based on documented and verifiable evidence. Our initial plan is to distribute the book to members of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, the European Parliament, as well as to politicians in various European countries and the United States.

Only a limited number of copies will be available for sale; the majority will be distributed for free to raise awareness of the heinous crimes against humanity occurring in Azerbaijan. Titled “Torture for the Sake of Stability,” this 140-page book provides an in-depth exploration of the variety, causes, and nature of criminal torture inflicted on Azerbaijani citizens during the regimes of Heydar Aliyev and Ilham Aliyev. It also examines the role of torture in consolidating the dictatorship, the mechanisms behind it, and its devastating impact on victims.

The centerpiece of the book is the infamous Tartar torture cases, but it also delves into the torture practices that occurred both before and after this tragedy. We demonstrate that rather than halting such practices following the exposure of the Tartar tragedy, the regime normalized and expanded the use of torture methods tested during that time. This book serves as a powerful exposé, enriched with factual material, highlighting how the Azerbaijani population is ruled through violence and intimidation.

We do not claim this book to be an exhaustive or perfect account of the torture phenomenon in Azerbaijan. Others may produce more comprehensive books or documentaries, or we may improve upon this effort in subsequent editions. However, this is a first step. The book has been published as part of a project by ASİMKOM (Coordination Center of Azerbaijani Political Migrants) and prepared for publication by AND Publishing House.

We are committed to continuously exposing the mass and individual crimes perpetrated against our people in Azerbaijan and to making the perpetrators known to the world.

It is clear that ordering this book from Azerbaijan will be impossible. The postal service in Azerbaijan is likely to return the book or cause problems for those who attempt to order it. However, for the limited copies intended for sale, we can make them available to Azerbaijanis living in Europe and the United States.