Appeal of the First Pan-European Congress of Azerbaijani Political Exiles and Exiled Media to the European Union, the Council of Europe, the OSCE, the Governments of Democratic States, International Financial Institutions, Investors and the Media

The First Pan-European Congress of Azerbaijani Political Emigrés and Exiled Media was held on September 26 in Strasbourg, France.

The Congress heard special reports on 15 topics, followed by serious debates and discussions, and concluded successfully.

We are publishing on our website the resolutions adopted by the Congress, as well as its appeals to the European Union, the Council of Europe, the OSCE, the governments of democratic states, international financial institutions, investors, and mass media organizations.

A video report on the Congress will be available on the Azerbaijani Saat YouTube channel. We will add the link to our website as soon as the report is ready.

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Appeal of the First Pan-European Congress of Azerbaijani Political Exiles and Exiled Media to the European Union, the Council of Europe, the OSCE, the Governments of Democratic States, International Financial Institutions, Investors and the Media

The participants of the First Pan-European Congress of Azerbaijani Political Exiles and Exiled Media address this appeal to the leadership and institutions of the European Union, the Council of Europe, the OSCE, the governments of democratic states, international financial institutions, foreign investors, human rights organisations and representatives of independent media.

Azerbaijan: The Absence of Political and Economic Freedoms

In Azerbaijan, political rights and freedoms have been effectively dismantled and survive only formally — in legislation and in the country’s international commitments.

Freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, association and political activity are systematically restricted. Any independent political or civic activity beyond the control of the authorities is treated as a threat to the state and, in practice, is criminalised.

Opposition parties have been deprived of the ability to operate normally, hold public events, participate in free elections and communicate their positions to society. Independent civil society organisations have been dismantled or forced out of the country. Free and independent media have been suppressed, with many outlets and journalists forced to continue their work from abroad.

At present, the number of political prisoners in Azerbaijan has exceeded 350. They include opposition leaders, journalists, human rights defenders, civil society representatives, academics, religious activists, as well as ordinary citizens persecuted for their posts and comments on social media.

Independent political and civic activity inside the country has become practically impossible.

Economic freedoms are also severely restricted. Key sectors of the economy are monopolised by the Aliyev family and political and economic groups connected to it. The absence of an independent judiciary, effective safeguards for private property and a level playing field for competition hinders the development of free enterprise and creates serious risks for independent businesses and foreign investors.

Why We Do Not Call for Azerbaijan’s Complete International Isolation

Under ordinary circumstances, repression on this scale could provide grounds for calling for the complete international isolation of the Aliyev regime and the imposition of the strongest possible sanctions against it.

However, the First Pan-European Congress of Azerbaijani Political Exiles and Exiled Media takes the existing geopolitical realities into account.

A decisive confrontation is currently under way between the democratic West and authoritarian Russia. Its outcome will determine not only the future of Ukraine and Europe’s security architecture, but also the future of the states of the South Caucasus, including Azerbaijan.

We recognise Azerbaijan’s importance in the implementation of economic, energy, transport and geopolitical projects in the South Caucasus and the wider region.

The following areas are of particular importance:

• • the development of the Middle Corridor;*

• • the creation of transport and energy routes bypassing Russia;*

• • strengthening connectivity between Europe, the South Caucasus and Central Asia;*

• • ensuring Europe’s energy security;*

• • limiting Russia’s influence in the region;*

• • safeguarding the independence and state sovereignty of the countries of the South Caucasus.*

We understand that the European Union and European states have an interest in maintaining dialogue with the authorities in Baku. We also believe that the complete international isolation of Azerbaijan could lead not to the country’s democratisation, but to closer alignment with Russia and other authoritarian states.

We do not seek Azerbaijan’s international isolation. We see our country’s future as being linked to the Euro-Atlantic community, Europe’s security architecture and the democratic world.

For this reason, the Congress does not call for the suspension of dialogue with the authorities in Baku. On the contrary, we support the continuation of political, economic and strategic cooperation.

However, dialogue must not amount to silent acquiescence in repression.

Geopolitics Must Not Push Human Rights Off the Agenda

We categorically reject the argument that democracy, human rights and the issue of political prisoners should be postponed until a more favourable time because of war, geopolitical confrontation or energy interests.

An authoritarian state cannot be a reliable long-term strategic partner of the democratic world. A regime that does not respect the rights of its own citizens cannot guarantee lasting stability, the security of investments or the durability of international agreements.

Stability based on repression is always temporary. Any attempt to sacrifice democracy for the sake of geopolitical expediency ultimately weakens both the state itself and the position of the West in the region.

Therefore, the release of political prisoners, the restoration of political freedoms, the independence of the judiciary and meaningful economic reforms must become permanent and mandatory components of any dialogue with the Azerbaijani authorities.

These issues must not be addressed merely symbolically or on an individual case-by-case basis. They must remain on the agenda of all negotiations, including high-level meetings, economic agreements, energy projects, investment programmes and the provision of international financing.

The West Has Real Leverage

Representatives of European institutions sometimes state that their ability to influence the Azerbaijani authorities is limited. We consider this position unfounded.

The Aliyev regime itself has a strong interest in the development of the Middle Corridor, the implementation of transport and energy projects, attracting foreign investment, securing access to affordable financing, and maintaining access to European technologies and markets.

Azerbaijan’s oil revenues are declining. Oil production and exports are showing a downward trend. In the first quarter of 2026, the country’s gross domestic product declined by 0.3 percent, while value added generated by the oil and gas sector fell by 1.2 percent.

Without profound political, economic and judicial reforms, the Azerbaijani authorities do not possess sufficient domestic resources to ensure the country’s sustainable development.

Foreign investment, international financing and affordable credit are becoming increasingly important for Azerbaijan. Consequently, European institutions, the governments of democratic states, international financial organisations and major investors possess real leverage to influence the authorities in Baku.

What is required is the political will to use that leverage not only to advance economic projects, but also to protect the fundamental rights of Azerbaijani citizens.

Dialogue with Baku Must Be Conditional and Substantive

The Congress does not call for the termination of dialogue. We call for a change in its substance.

Cooperation with the Azerbaijani authorities must be accompanied by concrete, clearly articulated and verifiable requirements.

The following issues must form a permanent part of the agenda in relations with the authorities in Baku:

• 1. The immediate and unconditional release of all political prisoners.*
• 2. An end to the criminal prosecution of journalists, political opponents, human rights defenders and civil society representatives.*
• 3. The restoration of freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, association and political activity.*
• 4. The guarantee of free political activity by opposition parties and independent civil society organisations.*
• 5. The creation of conditions for free, fair and competitive elections.*
• 6. The establishment of genuine independence of the judiciary and the legal profession.*
• 7. Investigation of allegations of torture and the prosecution of those responsible.*
• 8. Implementation of judgments of the European Court of Human Rights.*
• 9. Liberalisation of the economy, dismantling of monopolies and protection of private property.*
• 10. Ensuring equal operating conditions for domestic and foreign businesses.*

Progress in these areas should be taken into account when political and economic agreements are concluded, loans are granted, infrastructure projects are financed and investment decisions are made.

Appeal to International Financial Institutions and Investors

We appeal to the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the European Investment Bank, the World Bank, other international financial institutions, investment funds and private companies.

Investment in Azerbaijan must not strengthen monopolies controlled by the ruling family and groups associated with it. International financing must not contribute to the further concentration of wealth and power in the hands of a narrow circle.

When projects are implemented:

• • the ultimate beneficial owners of companies must be identified and properly scrutinised;*

• • transparency of public contracts and tenders must be ensured;*

• • financing of enterprises linked to corruption and political repression must be excluded;*

• • compliance with labour, social and environmental rights must be required;*

• • independent public oversight must be established;*

• • local entrepreneurs must be protected from administrative pressure and unlawful expropriation of property;*

• • respect for human rights and the rule of law must be incorporated into the assessment criteria for investment risks.*

Economic cooperation must serve the development of Azerbaijani society rather than the consolidation of an authoritarian system.

Support for Democratic Forces and Political Exiles

European and international institutions that maintain dialogue with the authorities in Baku should simultaneously and substantially expand their engagement with Azerbaijan’s democratic forces.

Domestic repression has forced a significant number of politicians, journalists, human rights defenders, civic activists and independent experts to leave Azerbaijan.

At a time when independent political activity inside the country has become practically impossible and is treated by the authorities as a criminal act, the Azerbaijani political exile community has become one of the few organised and capable forces able to preserve a democratic alternative, inform the international community and contribute to efforts to influence conditions inside the country.

We call for:

** 1**. The establishment of a permanent consultation mechanism between EU institutions and representatives of Azerbaijan’s democratic forces.

** 2.** Regular invitations for representatives of the Azerbaijani political exile community to hearings and expert discussions held by the European Parliament, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe and national parliaments.

** 3.** Ensuring the participation of democratic exile representatives in OSCE and OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights events, including human dimension conferences, election observation and the preparation of alternative reports.

** 4.** The involvement of representatives of Azerbaijan’s independent civil society in discussions on European programmes, projects and agreements concerning Azerbaijan.

** 5.** Support for independent Azerbaijani media outlets forced to operate from European countries.

** 6.** The creation of long-term financial, technical and legal support programmes for independent journalists, human rights defenders, researchers and civic organisations.

** 7.** Ensuring the safety of political exiles and investigating cases of surveillance, threats and transnational repression occurring on the territory of European states.

** 8**. Support for the families of political prisoners and for individuals persecuted because of the activities of relatives living abroad.

** 9.** The inclusion of representatives of Azerbaijan’s democratic exile community, as observers and experts, in the working groups, consultative platforms and monitoring mechanisms of European institutions.

We do not ask European institutions to appoint a political alternative for Azerbaijan. We demand that the voice of the democratic part of Azerbaijani society be heard and represented alongside the official position of the authorities in Baku.

The European Political Community Summit to Be Held in Baku

The 12th summit of the European Political Community is planned to be held in Azerbaijan in May 2028.

The Azerbaijani authorities have a strong interest in the leaders of EU institutions and major European states travelling to Baku. The authorities in Baku will seek to use their participation to strengthen the regime’s international legitimacy and demonstrate its political recognition.

Precisely for this reason, the preparations for the summit provide European leaders with a genuine opportunity to secure the release of political prisoners and improvements in the human rights situation.

The Congress calls on the leaders of European states and the institutions of the European Union to make clear to the authorities in Baku now:

The European Political Community Summit must not become a platform for demonstrating international support for an authoritarian regime whose prisons hold hundreds of political prisoners.

The level of participation by European leaders at the summit, the holding of bilateral meetings and the political status accorded to the event should be contingent upon concrete progress in the field of human rights.

By the time the summit takes place, the Azerbaijani authorities must:

• • release all political prisoners;*

• • end the criminal prosecution of journalists and opposition figures;*

• • restore fundamental political freedoms;*

• • guarantee the operation of independent media and civil society organisations;*

• • initiate genuine political, judicial and economic reforms.*

The desire of Ilham Aliyev to secure the attendance of as many European leaders as possible in Baku should be used not to strengthen the international image of authoritarian rule, but to secure the release of political prisoners.

Our Central Appeal

We do not call for the isolation of Azerbaijan.

We call for an end to the isolation of Azerbaijani society from Europe.

We support Azerbaijan’s integration into the Euro-Atlantic community. However, this integration cannot be pursued solely through relations with the authoritarian government.

Europe must engage not only with the Azerbaijani government, but also with the Azerbaijani people, its democratic forces, independent journalists, civil society and political exile community.

Geopolitical cooperation must not allow the regime to evade responsibility for repression. Economic interests must not be secured at the expense of the freedom of hundreds of people. The Middle Corridor must not become a corridor of silence surrounding human rights violations.

We call upon the European Union, the Council of Europe, the OSCE, the governments of democratic states, international financial institutions and investors to condition political and economic cooperation with Azerbaijan on clear and binding requirements:

the release of political prisoners, the restoration of political freedoms, the establishment of an independent judiciary, the dismantling of economic monopolies and the launch of genuine democratic reforms.

Only a democratic Azerbaijan can be a truly independent, stable and reliable partner for Europe.

Only a free Azerbaijan can withstand external pressure and safeguard its national independence.

Freedom for all political prisoners in Azerbaijan!

Adopted by the participants of the First Pan-European Congress of Azerbaijani Political Exiles and Exiled Media.

Strasbourg, 26 September 2026