In a recent government meeting, Andrea Praso, executive director of Freedom Now, delivered a stark warning regarding the deteriorating human rights situation in Azerbaijan. Speaking on behalf of anonymous human rights activists who fear government reprisal, Praso highlighted the alarming rise in repression against civil society in the country.

Praso emphasized that Azerbaijan has long been an authoritarian regime, systematically using its legal framework to suppress dissent. She noted that the past two years have seen a significant escalation in this repression, with over 300 political prisoners currently detained, many since December 2022. Among those imprisoned is journalist Ulvi Hasanli, director of the independent news outlet Absaas Media, who was arrested in November 2023 after being assaulted by masked men outside his home.

The crackdown on independent journalism has intensified, with multiple arrests of journalists from Absaas Media and Toplum TV, as well as the cofounders of the Institute of Democratic Initiatives (IDI). In March 2024, police raids on these organizations led to the detention of dozens, effectively silencing critical voices in the media landscape.

Praso pointed out that a new media law enacted in early 2022 has further restricted journalistic freedom, mandating registration with a government-controlled agency and allowing authorities to deny accreditation based on criminal records—an outcome likely for many journalists facing politically motivated charges.

The testimony underscores a grim reality for activists and journalists in Azerbaijan, where fear of government retaliation stifles free expression and undermines the fundamental rights of individuals and communities.