The Azerbaijani government seems to have made a conscious decision to live in a parallel reality, where there is no room for any criticism or protest, and where the only potential response to it is imprisonment or harassment. The authorities have long records of pursuing dubious, punitive criminal charges against their critics. Women journalists have paid the price for being at the front line in the recent human rights crises.
Azerbaijan imprisons eight women journalists for their work, marking an unprecedented crackdown. Raids, arrests, and trials on flimsy charges have become a dangerous norm. Never have so many women journalists been harshly punished in the country’s independence history. The first female journalist arrest occurred in 2014 with Khadija Ismayilova, released in 2016.
Independent journalism, especially for women, has never been easy in Azerbaijan, a secular country with conservative traditions and gender stereotypes. The recent rising trend of punishing women reporters has a chilling effect, discouraging other women journalists from entering the journalistic profession and further increasing the self-censorship among media professionals.
Silencing women journalists continues to become a particular focus and rising trend in Azerbaijan amid the ongoing media crackdown. The trend has picked up speed with the year 2023: Between November 20, 2023, and January 13, 2024, Sevinj Vagifgizi (36) and Nargiz Absalamova (27), and Elnara Gasimova (29) of Abzas Media, were arrested. In December 2024, Baku police arrested 4 female journalists with Meydan TV, Aynur Elgunash (50), Aytaj Ahmadova (32), Aysel Umudova (33), and Khayala Aghayeva, (28). And last week, police arrested prominent journalist Shahnaz Baylargizi (51), who worked for Toplum TV. Charged with smuggling, forgery, and tax evasion, the journalists had their homes raided and belongings seized. They deny the charges, citing their critical reporting, and face up to eight years in prison if convicted.
These eight journalists have been increasingly active in the public sphere, exposing corruption and human rights abuses while adhering to the ethical journalistic standards of independence, fairness, and credibility. Their media outlets—Abzas Media, Toplum TV, and Meydan TV—have faced government repression. Since November 2023, at least 20 journalists have been jailed, with others barred from travel, interrogated, or forced into exile, fearing arbitrary criminal persecution. Others must choose between self-censorship, prison, or exile if they want to continue journalism.
There is no end in sight for Azerbaijan’s human right crisis. The international response on the crackdown was mostly muted or did not move beyond mere expressions of concern and shallow statements. Azerbaijan continues to commit such travesties of justice because it has always gotten away with it.
These imprisoned women journalists are inconvenient messengers, and their arrests are part of the government’s broader efforts to silence dissent. Held in a remand prison in Baku, they face prolonged trials. Although pretrial detention in Azerbaijan is officially limited to three months, politically motivated cases often see extensions lasting over a year, depending on the alleged crime and investigative needs. Their lawyers have reported poor detention conditions and inhumane treatment of some detainees.
Beyond bars: A Humanitarian Call to Action
Some of the imprisoned women reporters have major health issues, and need urgent medical care, and while in pretrial detention their lives are at risk due to unsafe prison conditions and difficulty in accessing to adequate healthcare. It poses significant risks to their health and well-being. Some are primary caregivers, mothers, the only breadwinner for their dependents, and have family responsibilities. Take the case of Aynur Elgunesh, who is physically disabled and has endured multiple serious medical conditions and undergone several surgeries. She requires specialized medical care and ongoing treatment, which she cannot receive in prison. Or take Shahnaz Baylargizi, who has two dependent children, suffers from severe health conditions confirmed by doctors. Her unjust detention not only endangers her fragile health but also deprives her children of their mother’s care. Their health is at risk and their alleged crimes are non-violent, so keeping them behind bars serves no legitimate purpose beyond repression.
Pretrial detention should be a last resort, justified by specific facts and personal circumstances of the accused. Yet, Azerbaijani authorities have failed to provide any credible justification for detaining these women. In clear violation of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) protections against arbitrary detention, courts accepted vague, unsubstantiated reasons to keep these journalists in remand prison for months. Investigators claimed they might abscond, interfere with the case, or commit further crimes but offered no evidence to support these allegations—merely listing generic legal grounds for denying bail. While Azerbaijan’s legal system formally allows bail, judges rarely grant it in politically sensitive cases.
In politically motivated cases, Azerbaijani courts consistently refuse to consider alternative measures to imprisonment. There is no justification for keeping these eight journalists behind bars—they pose no threat to public safety and should be placed under house arrest instead. The harsh conditions in detention not only punish them unfairly but also place undue hardship on their families, particularly those with dependents or health issues. While the government refuses to drop the charges, it must recognize that prolonged detention of women is neither necessary nor humane.
Time for a humanitarian gesture for the imprisoned women journalists
The irony of punishing 8 women critics in a country that proudly claims to esteem women lies in contradiction between words and actions. In President Ilham Aliyev’s narrative, respect for women, traditional family values, and the holding of women in high esteem are among “the highest moral qualities of the Azerbaijani people”. With that in mind, the continued detention of 8 women journalists raises serious humanitarian, ethical, legal, and human rights concerns. It equally harms country’s global image by making it appear utterly intolerant against women expressing dissent and reinforces perceptions of gender-based repression and poor treatment of the outspoken women in society. This blatant hypocrisy undermines the sincerity of official narratives and exposes the gap between symbolic gestures and the government’s actual commitment to women rights and family values.
The world is watching, and history will remember how this moment was handled. Per legal and human rights principles, the substitution of remand and moving to release these women journalists on bail or under house arrest would not merely be a humanitarian response and reaction to public concerns, but also a gentle decision that would foster a more conciliatory political climate and ease tensions in the society, with positive implications. Home arrest, while still restrictive, would at least prevent harsh prison conditions and is more humane and reasonable alternative to imprisonment.
International Women’s Day, observed annually on March 8, celebrates the achievements and resilience of women worldwide. As the day approaches, Azerbaijan has an opportunity to align its actions with its rhetoric. However, the unjust imprisonment of women journalists in the country casts a shadow over the celebrations meant to honor the courage and contributions of women in their communities. It is imperative for the government to act with compassion and uphold justice by ensuring these journalists are not subjected to undue hardship. Azerbaijan’s international partners should also seize this moment to intensify efforts toward their release on humanitarian grounds, reinforcing the true spirit of International Women’s Day.