@IRFS_ORG

The Institute for Reporters’ Freedom and Safety

[@IRFS_ORG @IRFS_ORG]

‼️ Following a completely staged deportation in violation of the @ECHR_CEDH decision, Afgan Sadygov, an independent #Azerbaijani journalist was placed in a pre-trial detention on re-opened bogus charges

A travesty of justice has reached a new level!

https://t.co/RKsXaLKINz

[@IRFS_ORG @IRFS_ORG]

❗️“As of 2026, not a single independent media outlet operates within #Azerbaijan, a Council of Europe member State.

The @CoEMediaFreedom records 36 journalists currently detained in Azerbaijan.”

[PACE @PACE_News]

A PACE committee has denounced #Azerbaijan's use of laws to silence critical voices - human rights defenders, journalists and pro-democracy activists.

The authorities should also release those already detained.

Plenary debate to come.

More:
https://t.co/GCBWnke3AJ

[EMIN HUSEYNOV @EminHuseynovAZ]

Check out my latest article: The Naked King in the Rain: How the World Urban Forum in Baku Exposed the True Nature of the #Aliyev Regime An afterword to the 13th World Urban Forum #WUF13 and a foreword to the 12th Summit of the European Political Community in Baku
https://t.co/zluUYx5QVg #Azerbaijan

[@IRFS_ORG @IRFS_ORG]

❗️A courtroom is supposed to be where facts are heard, challenged, and examined.

Instead, Azerbaijani judges reportedly walked out as an imprisoned journalist, Khayala Aghayeva, detailed the President’s wealth.

https://t.co/ssHa3T6aV5

[EMIN HUSEYNOV @EminHuseynovAZ]

https://t.co/htOruN1wF5

[@IRFS_ORG @IRFS_ORG]

On this #WorldPressFreedomDay we stand in solidarity with every journalist ever intimidated, silenced, imprisoned, tortured or in any way attacked because of doing their job

IRFS remains committed to advocate for press freedom in 🇦🇿 and immediate release of all journalists

[Commissioner for Human Rights @CommissionerHR]

As we mark World Press Freedom Day, we must face a sobering reality: press freedom is weakening across Europe.
The crisis is structural. Beyond the physical dangers faced by journalists on the frontlines in Ukraine, a convergence of threats is putting the bedrock of our democracies under significant strain. The landscape for journalists and media is becoming increasingly challenging as they face legal and political pressure, threats to physical and digital safety and structural erosion due to media ownership concentration, economic pressure, political interference in public broadcasting and the dominance of internet platforms.
When journalists are silenced, the public’s right to know is the first casualty.
The standards exist, but implementation is too slow.
We have the tools; we now need the political will.

I encourage member states to:
➡️Investigate all attacks on journalists and end impunity
➡️Protect critical reporting and public service media from undue political and economic pressure
➡️Ensure journalists can work freely and safely
➡️Implement the case law of the European Court of Human Rights and Council of Europe standards, particularly on journalists’ safety and on abusive lawsuits (SLAPPs)

#WorldPressFreedomDay #PressFreedom #CouncilOfEurope #SafetyOfJournalists

[EMIN HUSEYNOV @EminHuseynovAZ]

This year’s #WorldPressFreedomDay is marred by Ilgar Aliyev’s death in detention and over 35 journalists remaining behind bars on bogus, politically motivated charges in #Azerbaijan

Journalists in the country and in exile face persecution, intimidation and direct attacks.

[@IRFS_ORG @IRFS_ORG]

Ilgar Aliyev, a 54-year-old cybersecurity expert and strategic advisor, passed away in Azerbaijan’s Prison No. 13 on May 1, 2026.

His death occurred only 72 hours before a scheduled court hearing concerning his request for early release.

https://t.co/AxDLgzycDa

[Mary Lawlor @MaryLawlorhrds]

Now public: joint communication to #Azerbaijan on the criminalisation of journalists and WHRDs Sevinj Abbasova, Nargiz Absalamova and Elnara Gasimova in the Abzas Media case. I regret that the Government has not responded to date.

https://t.co/C3gXA4GYEx

[Institute for Human Rights @iforHumanRights]

2025 #Azerbaijan 🇦🇿 Human Rights Report is out!

Prepared along with the colleagues from @IRFS_ORG the report compiles ongoing trends of repression and broad human rights violations

Read one via 👇🏼
https://t.co/YwzD1F8G7e

[@IRFS_ORG @IRFS_ORG]

IRFS condemns the decision of #Georgian gov to deport #Azerbaijani journalist Afgan Sadigov!

We are closely monitoring the case and calling on the international stakeholders to immediately intervene!

[EMIN HUSEYNOV @EminHuseynovAZ]

The deportation of Afgan Sadigov, in defiance of @ECHR_CEDH interim measures, points to coordinated Azerbaijani–Georgian action to bypass international safeguards❗️

The Georgian interior ministry announced Afgan’s deportation ans barred him from entering the country for three years.

The @coe and @eu_eeas must respond decisively!

[@IRFS_ORG @IRFS_ORG]

Side event on human rights situation in #Azerbaijan 🇦🇿 took place on the margins of #HRC61

The panel featured video interventions from @constantinosefs and @EminHuseynovAZ highlighting transnational repression tactics of the govt

Find the recording 👇🏼
https://t.co/lXVGWZ6kdp

[@IRFS_ORG @IRFS_ORG]

IRFS will hold a side event in @UNGeneva on March 23rd at 15.00 CET to raise awareness around alarming human rights violations in #Azerbaijan

#HRC61 @UN_HRC

[Human Rights Centre ZMINA @zminaUkraine]

📢@CivicSolidarity condemns the acts of persecution & pressure against Azerbaijani HRD & co-founder of @IRFS_ORG Emin Huseynov, as well as the continued death threats targeting his brother, journalist Mehman Huseynov.

Read the statement ➡️ https://t.co/hwNu1bOozU

[@IRFS_ORG @IRFS_ORG]

❗️Mehman Huseynov addressed @UN_HRC and @MaryLawlorhrds on the threats to life of @EminHuseynovAZ , Azerbaijani HRD and journalist, and himself - as an act of retaliation for their public activities!
#HRC61 @UNGeneva

📺 Watch full:
https://t.co/WrJY7IDTRA

[@IRFS_ORG @IRFS_ORG]

Thanks to colleagues from @ECPMF & @globalfreemedia for raising the issue of illegal surveillance of journalists.

❗️EU must raise its voice against harassment and impunity.

[@IRFS_ORG @IRFS_ORG]

Azerbaijan 🇦🇿& Georgia 🇬🇪 in the focus of 2026 Europe Press Freedom Report by @CoEMediaFreedom

Brave @gunel_safarova1 & @irmadimitradze reported the dire state of journalism in South Caucasus.

#journalismisnotacrime

[Council of Europe Media Freedom @CoEMediaFreedom]

The Europe Press Freedom Report is out!
Available in 🇬🇧 and 🇫🇷 👉 https://t.co/uJywwtLZN5
#EuropeForFreeMedia

[@IRFS_ORG @IRFS_ORG]

🕯️ 25 years since the brutal murder of Elmar Huseynov — an independent #Azerbaijani 🇦🇿 journalist and fearless critic of the authorities.

There has been no justice for Elmar.

We know well who stands behind his murder. The impunity of the #Azerbaijani government has to stop!

[EMIN HUSEYNOV @EminHuseynovAZ]

Grateful to @pressfreedom for standing up and calling on Swiss authorities 🇨🇭 to ensure my protection!

After I raised questions to @presidentaz & @1VicePresident about political prisoners and media repression at the Munich Security Conference, a state-aligned smear campaign was launched against me. Days later, I was followed by armed individuals in Geneva and survived what appeared to be a kidnapping attempt. Since then, surveillance and threats have continued.

❗️This is what transnational repression looks like

@CPJ_Eurasia @SwitzerlandOSCE @ignaziocassis @swiss_un @SwissMFA

https://t.co/wfti9R5Qs3