Anna Hartz
Leaders in some countries sometimes use large-scale pardons to signal goodwill or mark political milestones.
In Azerbaijan, President Ilham Aliev has proposed one of the largest acts of clemency in the country’s history.
Aliev submitted a plan to parliament that would pardon over 20,000 convicts, reports Digi24. The parliament is largely controlled by him, making approval highly likely. He took over as president in 2003 after his father stepped down.
“Humanism and Clemency”
The president described the measure as a gesture of “humanism and clemency.” He tied it to Azerbaijan’s recapture of the disputed Karabakh region from Armenian forces in 2023. State media reported that the plan involves several steps.
More than 5,000 prisoners would be released immediately. Around 3,000 would have their prison sentences reduced. About 7,000 convicts who received non-custodial sentences would be pardoned. Others who faced sanctions would have their criminal liability lifted.
It is unlikely that the pardons will include those described by the European Parliament as political prisoners. Human rights groups say nearly 400 people in Azerbaijan fall into that category. These individuals often face imprisonment for opposing the government or reporting critically on it.
Rich in Oil
Azerbaijan is rich in oil and tightly controlled by the Aliev family. Human rights organizations frequently criticize the country for cracking down on dissent and independent media. Political opposition faces arrests, and journalists operate under strict limits.
The European Union has engaged more with Azerbaijan in recent years. In April, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas visited Baku. She suggested that Azerbaijan could play a key role in Europe’s energy security. Her visit reflected the EU’s interest in securing reliable energy sources from the Caucasus region.
Analysts say large-scale pardons in Azerbaijan often serve political purposes. They can improve the government’s image at home or internationally. They also allow leaders to mark milestones or shift attention away from other controversial policies.
Aliev’s current proposal is unprecedented in scale. It is likely to free thousands of prisoners while maintaining the government’s tight grip on political opponents. How the move will be perceived internationally or whether it will affect Azerbaijan’s human rights record remains to be seen.
Sources: Digi24
