Overview of Human Rights in Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan has a poor human rights record in many areas. Its government has a history of repression and harassment of opposition political parties. Freedom of assembly is limited and unauthorized gatherings are usually broken up by mass arrests. Beatings of those assembled have also been reported. Election results are also seriously flawed as ballot box stuffing and result-tampering are common place.

The use of state violence is also common in Azerbaijan. Torture and police brutality are also widespread in the region. Detainees often face severe beatings, electric shock, and threats against their family in order to coerce a confessions. The government has made no moves to stifle the use of torture or ill treatment of detainees and prisoners.

News that is considered critical of the government does not usually reach the public. The government limits opposition and independent media outlets access to printing houses and distribution networks. Journalists that attempt to overcome these obstacles face steep fines, harassment and restricted access to official information. In 2005, Elmar Husseinov, the founder and editor of an independent weekly magazine called Monitor was shot and killed by an unknown assailant. The magazine was routinely critical of the government. Monitor ceased all publication after Husseinov’s suspicious death.

Human Development Index (HDI) Rank:

99th out of 177

Note: Human Development Index (HDI) is a composite index that measures the level of well-being of nations in the world. It uses factors such as poverty, literacy, life-expectancy, education, gross domestic product, and purchasing power parity to assess the average achievements in each nation. It has been used in the United Nation’s Human Development Report since 1993.