International human rights and media freedom organizations have expressed serious concern amid ongoing repression against independent women journalists in Azerbaijan.
A joint statement released by the Human Rights House Foundation and other organizations includes allegations that journalist Aysel Umudova was subjected to sexual harassment and ill-treatment by police officers during her detention.
The statement was signed by the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT), the Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders, Human Rights House Foundation, Independent Lawyers Network (ILN), Amnesty International, ARTICLE 19 Europe, the Campaign to End Repression in Azerbaijan, Cupidae Legum Initiative, and the International Partnership for Human Rights.
In a letter sent to the media from the Baku Pre-Trial Detention Center, Aysel Umudova described what happened during her detention on December 6, 2024. According to her, she was arbitrarily detained within the framework of the “Meydan TV case,” deprived of legal and medical assistance during a three-hour transfer to Baku, and subjected to degrading conditions of detention.
Umudova stated that while she was experiencing a panic attack in the police vehicle and was in an extremely vulnerable psychological state, she was subjected to unwanted physical contact by a police officer sitting next to her. The journalist emphasized that she openly objected to this behavior and that the incident had a long-term impact on her psychological well-being. Under Article 40 of the Council of Europe’s Istanbul Convention, this constitutes sexual harassment.
She also reported facing pressure after being taken to the Baku City Police Department, including threats related to forcing her to unlock her phone. Umudova noted that it took her nearly a year to make her experience public and stressed that the events continue to negatively affect her health.
The statement notes that these allegations are similar to what journalist and human rights defender Ulviyya (Ali) Guliyeva previously experienced. Ulviyya Ali was also subjected to prolonged pressure in connection with the same “Meydan TV case,” faced an unlawful travel ban, and was detained on May 6, 2025. She reported being beaten while under police custody and receiving explicit rape threats aimed at forcing her to hand over passwords to her electronic devices.
It is also reported that a search of her apartment was conducted without the presence of a lawyer, and that the “evidence” allegedly found was later used in the criminal case.
After her detention, Ulviyya Ali reported suffering from severe headaches, vomiting, dizziness, and loss of consciousness, which further aggravated her pre-existing psychological conditions. Despite this, the authorities refused to appoint an independent medical examination or provide adequate medical care.
Meydan TV staff members Ramin Deko (Jabrayilzade), Aynur Ganbarova (Elgunesh), Aysel Umudova, Aytaj Ahmadova (Tapdig), Khayala Aghayeva, Natig Javadli, and civil society member Ulvi Tahirov were detained on December 6, 2024.
Those detained in this case were charged under Article 206.3.2 of the Criminal Code (smuggling committed by a group of persons acting in prior conspiracy).
On February 5, 2025, the editor-in-chief of argument.az and a journalist cooperating with Meydan TV, Shamshad Aghayev (Agha), and later other journalists—Nurlan Libre (Gahramanli) on February 20, Fatima Movlamli on February 28, Ulviyya Ali (Guliyeva) on May 7, and Ahmad Mukhtar on August 27—were arrested in connection with this case.
On August 28, the charges in the “Meydan TV case” were intensified, and those arrested were charged under a total of seven articles of the Criminal Code.
Independent observers consider these charges to be politically motivated and fabricated. Over the past two years, similar provisions have been applied against dozens of journalists and civil society representatives.
International organizations state that the allegations raised are serious and consistent in nature, and that the lack of an independent investigation raises questions about whether the Azerbaijani authorities are complying with their international obligations. The statement emphasizes that beatings, rape threats, and sexual harassment against journalists constitute violations of the prohibition of torture and inhuman or degrading treatment. The authorities’ failure to investigate these allegations and their refusal to provide medical assistance violate the Constitution of Azerbaijan, as well as obligations under the European Convention on Human Rights, the Convention Against Torture, and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
The organizations demand the immediate and unconditional release of Aysel Umudova and Ulviyya Guliyeva, the dropping of all politically motivated charges against them, independent investigations into the allegations of violence, and an end to judicial harassment of journalists.
At the same time, international partners such as the Council of Europe, the European Union, the OSCE, and UN bodies are called upon to publicly condemn these cases, monitor the trials, and make media freedom and the fight against impunity a key condition in cooperation with Azerbaijan.
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