
European Parliament Adopts Resolution Condemning Human Rights Violations in Azerbaijan
The European Parliament, on Thursday, adopted three resolutions related to the respect for human rights in Crimea, Kyrgyzstan and Azerbaijan.
One resolution condemns ongoing human rights violations in Azerbaijan and urges the Azerbaijani authorities to end the crackdown on all dissident groups immediately. The resolution was adopted by 434 votes in favor, 30 against, and 89 abstentions.
It also calls for the unconditional release of human rights defenders, journalists and political activists prosecuted under fabricated, politically motivated charges.
Azerbaijan must also lift restrictions on independent media and end the repression of Meydan TV, Toplum TV, Abaz Media and Kanal 13, MEPs say, while calling for EU sanctions to be imposed on officials responsible for serious human rights violations.
The MEPs insist any EU-Azerbaijan partnership agreement, including on energy, must be strongly conditional on the respect for fundamental rights and the release of all political prisoners.
The resolution notes the twenty-three Armenian prisoners of war, including the former leaders of the self-proclaimed republic of Nagorno-Karabakh, and calls for their immediate release, along with all political prisoners in the country.
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