Bipartisan Senators call on Trump Admin to include release of all political prisoners held in Azerbaijan as part of efforts to strengthen the U.S.– Azerbaijan partnership

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.) today joined U.S. Senators Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) and Tim Kaine (D-Va.) in leading a bipartisan effort calling on the Trump Administration to secure the release of more than 300 political prisoners currently held in Azerbaijan to advance the cause of peace in the region. In their letter to U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the Senators express great concern with the pattern of arbitrary detentions and denial of due process under Azerbaijani President Aliyev’s administration and emphasize that the success of the U.S.– Azerbaijan bilateral relationship is dependent on Azerbaijan making reciprocal good faith commitments, including the release of political prisoners. 

The Senators underscore that for the U.S.– Azerbaijan partnership to thrive, it must be grounded in a commitment to strengthening democratic institutions, the rule of law, and protect fundamental rights: “There are more than 300 political prisoners in Azerbaijan, and the repression of independent journalists, opposition leaders, and civil society advocates continues throughout the country. We share the Administration’s interest in advancing peace in the region and urge that the release of all political prisoners held in Azerbaijan be a condition of the Strategic Partnership. We have been encouraged by the Administration’s success in obtaining the release of political prisoners in Belarus and urge the Administration to pursue a similar approach with Azerbaijan.” 

The Senators emphasize that obtaining the release of political prisoners should start by prioritizing the release of the following individuals, who are emblematic of different sectors of Azerbaijani civil society that have been targets of longstanding repression: Ali Karimli, Alasgar Mammadli, Anar Mammadli, Dr. Gubad Ibadoghlu, Farid Mehralizada, Rufat Safarov, Tofig Yagublu, and Ulviyya Guliyev. 

The Senators highlight how the Republic of Azerbaijan’s continued practice of wrongfully detaining individuals for political purposes undermines the credibility of its commitments to peace, the rule of law, and partnership with the United States: “All those wrongfully detained should have direct access to their families, legal counsel, and medical treatment. Ali Karimli, Dr. Gubad Ibadoghlu, Tofig Yagublu, Farid Mehralizada, Ulviyya Guliyeva, Rufat Safarov, Alasgar Mammadli, and Anar Mammadli should be immediately released. All charges and travel bans against those who are released should be withdrawn.” 

“The Administration’s decision to waive Section 907 of the FREEDOM Support Act reflects a willingness to deepen engagement with Azerbaijan in pursuit of broader U.S. interests. As the United States has taken this significant step in good faith, we urge the Administration to press the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan to demonstrate a similar commitment to strengthening bilateral relations,” the Senators conclude. “The immediate release of the above identified individuals, as well as all others unjustly detained, would represent a meaningful demonstration of that commitment. Such action would underscore that an enduring U.S.-Azerbaijan partnership is strengthened by both shared strategic interests and respect for fundamental freedoms and the rule of law.” 

Read and download the Senators’ full letter to Secretary of State Rubio. 

###

View a digital version of this release.