Appeal of the Coordination Centre of Azerbaijani Political Emigrants (ASIMKOM) to the President of the European Commission, Her Excellency Ursula von der Leyen

Dear President von der Leyen,

We acknowledge the importance of cooperation between the European Union and Azerbaijan in the field of energy security amid Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, as well as the significance of transport and logistics cooperation within the framework of the Middle Corridor, which connects Europe and Asia. We recognize Azerbaijan’s role as a strategic partner for Europe.

At the same time, we would like to emphasize that we are not opposed to dialogue between the European Union and Azerbaijan; on the contrary, we strongly support such engagement. We believe that the complete isolation of Azerbaijan from the Euro-Atlantic space would serve neither the long-term interests of the Azerbaijani people nor those of Europe. For this very reason, we consider it essential that political and economic cooperation between the European Union and Azerbaijan continue.

However, we firmly believe that a sustainable and strategic partnership cannot be built solely on economic interests. The European Union has always presented itself not only as an economic union, but also as a community of values founded on democracy, human rights, the rule of law, and fundamental freedoms. We believe that these principles must remain an integral part of the European Union’s cooperation and dialogue with Azerbaijan.

Over the past decade, democratic standards in Azerbaijan have deteriorated to an unprecedented extent. Ilham Aliyev has established a model of one-man rule in the country. The legislative framework, including the Constitution of the Republic of Azerbaijan, has been reshaped in accordance with the interests of the Aliyev family. Through a parliament formed through fraudulent means, the authorities have adopted repressive legislation that has effectively placed independent media outlets, civil society organizations, and political parties under complete control.

All independent media institutions in Azerbaijan have been shut down or severely restricted. The editorial teams of independent media outlets such as Abzas Media, Toplum TV, and Meydan TV have been subjected to mass arrests. Dozens of journalists, human rights defenders, civil society activists, as well as Ali Karimli, the leader of Azerbaijan’s main opposition party — the Azerbaijan Popular Front Party (APFP) — have faced continuous repression. Numerous party members have been imprisoned on politically motivated and fabricated charges. Currently, more than 400 political prisoners are being held in Azerbaijani prisons.

The repressive policies pursued by Ilham Aliyev against his critics and political opponents are not limited to Azerbaijan’s borders. The Azerbaijani authorities have also pursued their opponents abroad. Between 2020 and 2025, human rights defender Vidadi Isgandarli was murdered in France, APFP member Vugar Rzayev was killed in Belgium, blogger Bakikhan Huseynov was murdered in Georgia, and political activist and former political prisoner Bayram Mammadov was killed in Türkiye.

Ten members of a terrorist group responsible for an attempted assassination of blogger Mahammad Mirzali were arrested in France. The French court sentenced these individuals to prison terms ranging from five to thirty years and stated in its verdict that the objective of the terrorist group had been to assassinate Mahammad Mirzali on the orders of the Azerbaijani authorities.

Ilham Aliyev is known not only as an authoritarian leader, but also as one of the most corrupt heads of state in the world. Azerbaijan’s economy is effectively controlled by the Aliyev family. Since 2020, the continued closure of Azerbaijan’s land borders under the pretext of the COVID-19 pandemic has severely restricted citizens’ freedom of movement and effectively isolated the country.

We would also like to draw your attention to the fact that Ilham Aliyev has provided significant assistance to Russia in circumventing sanctions imposed by the European Union. A number of companies and individuals — including SOCAR, a state-owned company cooperating with the European Union, an oil refinery located in Türkiye, Yelo Bank operating in Azerbaijan, as well as numerous individuals close to the Aliyev family — have been sanctioned by the European Union, the United Kingdom, and the United States due to their links with Russia’s shadow fleet.

Dear President von der Leyen,

Your next visit to Azerbaijan is expected to take place on 1 July. We urge you not to limit your discussions with President Ilham Aliyev solely to issues related to energy security and the Middle Corridor projects.

Under the current circumstances, the most urgent and painful issue facing Azerbaijani society is the question of political prisoners. We believe that, in the short term, addressing this issue would represent the most important step toward creating conditions for positive change within Azerbaijani society.

During your meetings with President Ilham Aliyev, we respectfully urge you to raise these concerns alongside discussions on energy security and regional connectivity. We believe that the European Union’s cooperation with Azerbaijan cannot be separated from issues of democracy and human rights. Therefore, we expect you to firmly call upon President Ilham Aliyev for the immediate and unconditional release of political prisoners, the restoration of independent media, and the removal of restrictions imposed on civil society organizations and political parties.

The European Union has consistently declared that human rights and fundamental freedoms are central principles in its relations with neighboring countries. We believe that these values must also constitute an inseparable part of the EU’s dialogue with Azerbaijan. Energy security, the Middle Corridor, and economic cooperation must not replace respect for fundamental rights; rather, they should complement and reinforce them.

Long-term stability and reliable partnership are possible only in a society where citizens can freely express their opinions, organize peacefully, and participate in public life without fear of persecution.

We hope that your personal authority and commitment will contribute, during this visit, to achieving tangible progress toward resolving the issue of political prisoners. We believe that a principled position by the European Commission on this matter would provide important moral support to Azerbaijani society and once again demonstrate the European Union’s commitment to its own fundamental values.

ASIMKOM believes that this visit represents an important opportunity to build EU–Azerbaijan cooperation on stronger and more sustainable foundations. Democracy, human rights, the rule of law, political freedoms, and an end to politically motivated imprisonment must constitute an inseparable part of those foundations.

Respectfully,

Coordination Centre of Azerbaijani Political Emigrants (ASIMKOM)