ASIMKOM – Materials from the Bonn Conference
ASİMKOM – Coordination Center of Azerbaijani Political Refugees – held its latest conference on October 25 in Bonn, Germany. During the conference, appeals to several official European institutions were submitted. These appeals are now being published on our website.
Coordination Center of Azerbaijani Political Refugees
To the Federal Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Republic of Germany,
Dr. Johann David Wadephul
APPEAL
October 25, 2025, Bonn, Germany
Dear Dr. Johann David Wadephul,
The Coordination Center of Azerbaijani Political Refugees (ASMKOM) is a political platform established by Azerbaijani political activists, journalists, and public figures living in various countries around the world. ASMKOM considers the continuation of Azerbaijan’s Euro-integration process to be crucial. We view Azerbaijan as an integral part of Europe and actively work towards its future as an equal member of the European Union. We believe that the Republic of Azerbaijan must respect fundamental human rights, including those guaranteed by the European Convention on Human Rights, and remain faithful to the international conventions it has signed.
Dear Minister,
In Azerbaijan, the Aliyev regime, which holds absolute power, has abolished existing democratic institutions. The Constitution and national legislation have been tailored to serve the interests of the Aliyev family. The activities of political parties are restricted, independent media and civil society organizations have been closed. More than 40 journalists, including 9 women, are currently imprisoned. In total, about 400 political prisoners are held in Azerbaijani prisons.
Under the EU Readmission Agreement, six political activists deported from Germany to Baku have been imprisoned on fabricated charges. The spouse of one of these deportees, Samir Ashurov, Nurane Ashurova, along with her two young children, was subjected to police harassment. Denied the opportunity to rent a home, Ms. Ashurova was forced to flee to Georgia with her children. Azerbaijani-origin German citizen Hamza Mammadli, who criticized the Aliyev regime, was arrested during a visit to Baku and sentenced to six years in prison on false charges. International human rights organizations have recognized Mr. Mammadli as a political prisoner.
The Aliyev regime pursues its critics abroad as well. Between 2021–2024, four political refugees were assassinated in Europe: opposition AXCP member Vuqar Rzayev in Belgium (2021); civic activist and former political prisoner Bayram Mammadov of the NIDA Civic Movement in Turkey; civic activist Huseyn Bakikhanov in Georgia; and human rights defender Vidadi Isgandarli in France (2024). Blogger Mohammad Mirzali, who survived three attacks in France, was targeted by nine terrorists attempting to assassinate him; their trial is ongoing. Bloggers Orkhan Agayev and Qabil Mammadov, living in Germany, have been subjected to physical torture. Investigations are ongoing in both cases.
Ilham Aliyev has monopolized all sectors of Azerbaijan’s economy, including oil, gas, and other natural resources. He is considered one of the wealthiest and most corrupt presidents in the world. Using illicit funds, Aliyev not only oppresses the Azerbaijani people but also undermines the European political system. He has bribed politicians in several European countries, including Germany. Currently, a court case in Munich is ongoing against former Bundestag members accused of receiving bribes from the Aliyev regime. Unfortunately, in many cases, the German government has made concessions to the Aliyev regime. Recently, Germany signed a major gas agreement with Azerbaijan without prior public disclosure or open discussion. The German government must take into account that the Aliyev regime plays a key role in helping Putin’s Russia evade sanctions. Aliyev-affiliated oil companies, including SOCAR’s refinery and oil tankers, have been sanctioned by the EU, UK, and US for selling Russian oil.
Dear Minister,
Since Azerbaijan gained independence, Germany has played an important role in our country’s development—not only economically but also in promoting democratization and the formation of an independent civil society. We call on the German government to take a firmer stance in support of democracy and human rights. We welcome the decision to include the Russian opposition in the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe and ask you to take similar initiatives for the Azerbaijani political diaspora, democratic forces, and independent civil society representatives. We urge Germany to increase pressure on the Azerbaijani authorities for the immediate release of political prisoners and to step up efforts to compel the Aliyev regime to undertake democratic reforms. We invite the German government and the Foreign Ministry to cooperate in these efforts.
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Coordination Center of Azerbaijani Political Refugees
To the President of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, Mr. Ian Borg
APPEAL
October 25, 2025, Bonn, Germany
Dear Mr. Ian Borg,
On behalf of Azerbaijani political refugees living in Europe, we are reaching out to you.
As you are aware, the Republic of Azerbaijan’s participation in the Council of Europe has been suspended. The Azerbaijani authorities have failed to fulfill their obligations to the Council of Europe and have continuously violated international conventions, including the European Convention on Human Rights, as well as national legislation. Since coming to power through a military coup in 1993, the Aliyev family has systematically amended the Constitution and laws of the Republic of Azerbaijan to serve their personal interests.
Today, Azerbaijan has an unlimited presidential term. Additionally, laws governing the country’s social, political, and economic life have been amended in a non-progressive manner to benefit the Aliyev family. Laws regulating political parties, non-governmental organizations, and the media have been negatively assessed by the Venice Commission of the Council of Europe.
The Aliyev regime, relying on these non-progressive laws, has completely restricted the activities of political parties, abolished independent media, and effectively halted the operations of non-governmental organizations independent of the government. Under the personal directive of President Aliyev, international media organizations such as Voice of America, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, and the BBC have ceased operations in Azerbaijan. The founders, editors-in-chief, and leading journalists of the “AbzasMedia” portal, “Meydan TV,” and “Toplum TV” have been imprisoned. More than 40 journalists, including 9 women, are currently detained. Today, with nearly 400 political prisoners, Azerbaijan is one of the negative leaders in this regard in the Council of Europe.
The chairman of the opposition Azerbaijan Popular Front Party, Ali Karimli, has not been issued a national passport since 2006 and is therefore unable to participate in international events.
Mr. Ian Borg, the Aliyev regime’s repressions extend beyond Azerbaijan’s borders and affect various European countries. Aliyev’s punitive units have targeted political activists who have sought asylum in Europe. Between 2021–2024, four political refugees were assassinated in Europe: opposition AXCP member Vuqar Rzayev in Belgium in 2021; civic activist and former political prisoner Bayram Mammadov of NIDA Civic Movement in Turkey; civic activist Huseyn Bakikhanov in Georgia; and human rights defender Vidadi Isgandarli in France in 2024. Blogger Mohammad Mirzali, who was attacked three times in France and seriously injured, was targeted by nine terrorists attempting to assassinate him; these individuals are currently on trial in France. Numerous Azerbaijani political refugees have also suffered physical abuse across Europe, and some in France and Germany live under police protection.
Political activists Samir Ashurov, Mutallim Orucov, Malik Rzayev, Punhan Karimli, Jafar Mirzayev, and Emin Malikov, who were deported to Baku under the Readmission Agreement signed with the European Union, have been imprisoned on fabricated charges. Emin Malikov, subjected to horrific physical torture, suffers from a nervous disorder and is currently unable to control himself in prison.
Presidential, parliamentary, and municipal elections are entirely falsified. Since 1994, all elections have been negatively evaluated by international observers, including the Council of Europe. Ilham Aliyev not only persecutes his critics and political opponents but also maintains total police control, with a despotic governance system that suppresses Azerbaijani citizens. Since 2020, Azerbaijan’s land borders have been closed without justification, enabling the ruling family to monopolize the national economy. The natural right of 10 million citizens to free movement has been violated, and lawlessness by police and officials prevails.
The Aliyev family has deprived Azerbaijani citizens not only of political and civic rights but also amassed extraordinary wealth through corruption. All natural resources—including oil, gas, and precious metals—along with the banking sector, industry, trade, and agriculture, are monopolized by numerous companies owned by the Aliyev family. State tenders are invariably awarded to the Aliyev family. International journalistic investigations have revealed that the Aliyevs possess assets worth billions of US dollars in leading countries, including Europe.
ASIMKOM considers Azerbaijan’s integration into the Euro-Atlantic space a top priority. We fight for an Azerbaijan where human rights, freedom of expression, and the right to vote and be elected are guaranteed, and where international conventions and progressive values are respected. We value the dialogue between the Council of Europe and the Azerbaijani authorities and believe this dialogue should continue.
In summary, ASIMKOM respectfully requests the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe to:
\ 1. Recognize Azerbaijan’s representation in the Council of Europe as important and support the dialogue between the Council and Azerbaijani authorities. However, we do not consider the restoration of Azerbaijan’s participation acceptable until the Aliyev regime initiates democratic reforms.
** 2.** Impose targeted sanctions on individuals in the Azerbaijani authorities who systematically violate the rights of citizens, political activists, and journalists to compel democratic reforms.
** 3.** Impose targeted sanctions on members of special service agencies, police officers, penitentiary personnel, and judges who use violence, torture, and politically motivated decisions against political and civic activists and journalists.
** 4**. Impose sanctions on companies and bank accounts owned by the Aliyev family and on persons closely associated with them.
** 5.** Support the inclusion of the Azerbaijani opposition in the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, as a step towards democratization, similar to the recent decision regarding the Russian opposition.
**6.** Pressure the Aliyev regime to reopen Azerbaijan’s land borders to ensure freedom of movement as guaranteed by the European Convention on Human Rights and other international laws.
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To the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen
From the Coordination Center of Azerbaijani Political Exiles
APPEAL
Bonn, Germany – October 25, 2025
Dear Ms. Ursula von der Leyen,
On behalf of Azerbaijani political exiles living in Europe, we are addressing this appeal to you.
First, we wish to state that the Coordination Center of Azerbaijani Political Exiles (ASMKOM) considers it essential that the Republic of Azerbaijan continue its Euro-integration process. We regard Azerbaijan as an integral part of Europe and actively work toward its future status as an equal member of the European Union. We believe that the Republic of Azerbaijan must respect fundamental human rights, including those enshrined in the European Convention on Human Rights, and remain committed to the international conventions it has ratified. The Azerbaijani authorities must cooperate fully with the European Union under the Eastern Partnership Initiative in all areas. At the same time, the EU should not allow human rights issues in Azerbaijan to be overshadowed by energy projects.
Since coming to power in a military coup in 1993, the Aliyev family has systematically violated both international conventions and national legislation. The Constitution and national laws of Azerbaijan have been tailored to serve the interests of the Aliyev family. Political parties, non-governmental organizations, and media laws have been amended in a regressive manner, a move criticized by the Venice Commission of the Council of Europe.
Relying on these regressive laws, the Aliyev regime has effectively restricted political party activity, dismantled independent media, and halted the operations of independent NGOs. By presidential decree, international media organizations such as Voice of America, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, and the BBC have been barred from operating in Azerbaijan. Founders, chief editors, and leading journalists of outlets such as AbzasMedia, Meydan TV, and Toplum TV have been imprisoned. Over 40 journalists—including nine women—are currently in detention. There are approximately 400 political prisoners in Azerbaijani prisons today.
The Aliyev regime’s repressions have extended beyond Azerbaijan’s borders to target political activists in various European countries. Between 2021 and 2024, four political exiles were assassinated in Europe: Vugar Rzayev (AXCP member) in Belgium, Bayram Mammadov (political prisoner) in Turkey, activist Huseyn Bakikhanov in Georgia, and human rights defender Vidadi Isgandarli in France. In France, the case of nine terrorists who attempted to assassinate blogger Mohammed Mirzali—who has survived three prior attacks—is currently under trial.
Political activists deported from Europe to Baku under the EU Readmission Agreement, including Samir Ashurov, Mutallim Orucov, Malik Rzayev, Punhan Kerimli, Jafar Mirzayev, and Emin Malikov, have been imprisoned on fabricated charges. Emin Malikov, subjected to severe physical torture, suffers from a neurological disorder and is currently unable to manage his own care in prison.
Presidential, parliamentary, and municipal elections in Azerbaijan are systematically rigged. All elections held since 1994 have been negatively evaluated by international observers, including the Council of Europe. Ilham Aliyev not only persecutes critics and political opponents but also maintains total police surveillance and a despotic system that oppresses the Azerbaijani population. Since 2020, Azerbaijan’s land borders have been closed without justification, granting the ruling family monopolistic control over the national economy and depriving 10 million citizens of their right to freedom of movement.
The Aliyev family has deprived Azerbaijanis not only of civil and political rights but also of economic resources. Azerbaijan is one of the most corrupt countries in the world. All natural resources—including oil, gas, and non-ferrous metals—along with the banking, industry, trade, and agriculture sectors, are monopolized by countless companies owned by the Aliyev family. State tenders are systematically awarded to the Aliyev family. International investigative journalism has revealed that the Aliyevs hold billions of dollars in assets across Europe and other leading countries worldwide.
ASMKOM considers Azerbaijan’s integration into the Euro-Atlantic space a top priority. We are committed to the struggle for an Azerbaijan where human rights, freedom of speech and the press, and the right to elect and be elected are fully respected, and where international conventions and progressive values are honored. We highly value the European Union’s engagement with the Azerbaijani authorities. We also recognize that energy agreements between the EU and Azerbaijan serve the interests of both Azerbaijani and European peoples.
At the same time, we urge the EU to ensure that democracy is not sacrificed for energy interests. The European Union must demonstrate its commitment to the values it espouses. Pressure on the Aliyev regime must be increased to address political prisoners, secure freedom of assembly, media freedom, and a fair environment for political parties and NGOs. The EU should impose targeted sanctions on Azerbaijani officials who violate fundamental human rights, commit violence against political activists and journalists, or issue politically motivated court decisions. These sanctions should extend to Ilham Aliyev—the founder of the authoritarian regime that has ruled since 2003—his family members, and high-ranking officials in power. Assets acquired by the Aliyev family and senior officials through corruption and transferred to Europe must be frozen.
We also invite the institutions of the European Union to cooperate with Azerbaijani democratic forces, independent media, and political exiles.