In 2022, the Azerbaijani authorities tightened legislative pressure on journalists and political associations, intensifying repressions against civil and religious activists.
Official Baku allows a systemic violation of freedom of expression (Article 10 of the European Convention) in connection with the new media law adopted at the end of 2022. We believe that the new law strengthens the government’s control over the media. The conditions for registration and activities of the media have become so rigid and legally limited that they are practically unrealizable without the approval of the political authorities.
Moreover, since the beginning of 2022, the authoritarian regime in Baku has not let a single protest action, and uncoordinated demonstrations, despite their peaceful nature, were severely suppressed by the police, their participants were detained and arrested.
Solidaritätsnetz International filed an official protest to the diplomatic mission of Azerbaijan.