ASIMKOM Issues Appeal to J.D. Vance Ahead of His Expected Visit to Baku
To Mr. J.D. Vance, vice President of the United States
We welcome you on the occasion of your visit to Baku.
As a civil society organization representing political emigrants living outside Azerbaijan, we would like to respectfully draw your attention to our expectations regarding your planned meeting with the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Mr. Ilham Aliyev.
Given the United States’ global leadership in promoting democracy, the rule of law, and the protection of human rights, we believe it is critically important that the human rights situation in Azerbaijan, particularly the issue of political prisoners, be addressed during this meeting.
At present, hundreds of individuals, including journalists, opposition activists and leaders, human rights defenders, and other representatives of civil society, are being held in detention in Azerbaijan on politically motivated charges. According to credible local and international sources, at least 340 people are currently recognized as political prisoners. This situation stands in clear contradiction to Azerbaijan’s international obligations and to universally recognized fundamental rights and freedoms.
The principled approach taken by the United States in raising the issue of political prisoners in its relations with countries such as Belarus and Venezuela has set important and encouraging precedents. We believe that adopting a similarly clear and firm position in dialogue with the Azerbaijani leadership, particularly by calling for the unconditional release of political prisoners, could have a meaningful and positive impact.
Based on your remarks at the 2025 Munich Security Conference, we clearly see the high value you place on freedom of expression as a core democratic principle that must be resolutely defended. In Azerbaijan, however, this freedom is gravely suppressed. Hundreds of individuals have been imprisoned precisely for exercising their right to free expression and for seeking accountability from the Aliyev government for corruption and human rights violations.
Your attention to this issue would contribute not only to improving the human rights situation in Azerbaijan, but also to strengthening U.S.-Azerbaijan relations on the basis of shared democratic values.
Thank you for taking the time to consider our appeal. We hope that your visit will result in positive developments for human rights and democracy in Azerbaijan and the wider region.
Respectfully,
The Board of ASIMKOM