U.S. House of Representatives advances measures to impose sanctions on Azerbaijan's government
Taking a Stand: Azerbaijan Feels the Financial Bite Amidst Western Criticism
For the past six months, Azerbaijan has been flaunting its middle finger to the United States and the European Union, brushing off criticism over its authoritarian political practices. But it seems the West has a secret weapon to grab Baku's attention: money, or more specifically, the power to freeze the assets of Azerbaijani officials.
Worry not, the West has a way to make them think twice about swiping their credit cards around the world. Rights activists in Baku and beyond claim that it's hardly surprising that a prominent opposition figure, Gubad Ibadoglu, was released from jail shortly after word spread on April 22 that the U.S. Congress was preparing to impose sanctions on top Azerbaijani officials. The European Parliament followed suit just a few days later, calling for sanctions against Azerbaijani officials.
"The authorities are terrified, even of the first letter in the word 'sanctions,'" lawyer and politician Samed Rahimli wrote on X. "Azerbaijani authorities showed their fears of sanctions today."
On April 28, a phone conversation took place between U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev. The aim was to mend bilateral relations. According to a State Department statement, Blinken acknowledged strides in the Armenia-Azerbaijani peace process and expressed a desire to cooperate on shared energy, climate, and connectivity goals. He welcomed Ibadoglu's release from jail, while urging for an "expeditious" resolution. The statement concluded by emphasizing the necessity for Azerbaijan to follow its international human rights obligations and release those wrongfully detained in the nation.
The Baku court did not declare Ibadoglu innocent; instead, he remains under house arrest while his case continues. An economist, Ibadoglu is a vocal critic of Aliyev's administration and currently chairs the Democracy and Prosperity Party. At the time of his arrest in July 2023, he was a visiting professor at the London School of Economics. Ibadoglu maintains his innocence and asserts that his case is politically motivated.
News of brewing U.S. sanctions against around 40 political, law enforcement, and military officials who "actively violate the rule of law and human rights" reportedly broke on April 22. The Turan News Agency's Washington correspondent, Alex Raufoglu, first reported the information. Allegedly, some of President Aliyev's top lieutenants are on the list for sanctions, including the head of presidential administration, Samir Nuriyev, the chief of the State Security Service, Ali Nagiyev, and the commander of Special Forces, Hikmet Mirzayev. Dina Titus, a Nevada Democrat, serves as the primary sponsor of the sanctions bill in the House of Representatives.
The Turan report suggests that these sanctions are a response to Azerbaijan's recent crackdown on independent journalists and civil society activists, amidst deteriorating relations with the United States. Since last fall, nearly 20 journalists and opposition activists have been arrested, many on smuggling charges. As with Ibadoglu's case, these individuals claim their cases are fabricated.
During an official visit to Berlin, President Aliyev argued that all investigations against government critics conform to established laws. "Every country must protect its laws," Aliyev said. "If a media representative who received illegal funding from abroad is under investigation, it does not mean our media is not free. Everyone should operate within the law. We, like any other country, must defend our media space from external negative influences."
Sanctions bills reportedly also call attention to Azerbaijan's allegedly harsh treatment of Armenian prisoners, captured during the final phase of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. "This raises serious doubts about the Azerbaijani government's commitment to human rights and its ability to negotiate a just and lasting peace with Armenia," the Turan report quotes the bill stating.
It's uncertain when the Democrat-sponsored sanctions bill might come up for a vote in the U.S. House, given the GOP's control, and the progress of the European Parliament's efforts to impose sanctions on Azerbaijan remains nascent. Furthermore, it remains to be seen whether Azerbaijan will make additional efforts to avoid potential sanctions. On April 29, the day following the Blinken-Aliyev call, prominent activist Anar Mammadli, who chairs the Election Monitoring and Democracy Studies Center, was reportedly detained by law enforcement authorities in Baku, according to an opposition media outlet. Critics of the government are urging international bodies to ramp up the pressure. "There are still political prisoners in prison," writer and blogger Samed Shikhi wrote on X. "They need to be freed. There should be no compromise."
Behind the Scenes: A Closer Look
As of present, there are discussions and deliberations regarding possible sanctions, but no specific sanctions have been announced by the United States or the European Union against Azerbaijani officials for human rights violations and authoritarian practices. Here is a peek behind the curtains:
Current State of Affairs
- United States: The U.S. Department of the Treasury has been urged to consider enacting targeted sanctions on vital Azerbaijani officials and their networks if there are violations of peace agreements or a return to violence in the region. These sanctions primarily focus on financial pressure, concentrating on the networks of influential figures such as the Aliyev sisters. However, these measures are contingent on particular actions by Azerbaijan and have not yet been implemented[1].
- European Union: The EU has been actively mediating peace talks between Azerbaijan and Armenia and has deployed a civilian monitoring mission to reduce tensions. However, the EU's actions have faced criticism from both sides for perceived bias. The EU has not declared specific sanctions against Azerbaijani officials for human rights violations but has been involved in broader geopolitical maneuvers in the region, including increasing gas purchases from Azerbaijan[2][4].
Repercussions
The potential for sanctions forms part of larger geopolitical strategies aimed at influencing Azerbaijan's actions, particularly in the context of the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict. The utilization of sanctions as a means of pressure is a theoretical approach rather than a current reality, as no such sanctions have officially been imposed.
Geopolitical Landscape
The situation is complicated by broader geopolitical factors, such as the EU's efforts to reduce dependence on Russian energy and the complex alliances in the Caucasus region. These factors continue to shape the dynamics of possible sanctions and diplomatic efforts.
- The Western approach to influencing Azerbaijan's policy and legislative decisions, particularly regarding human rights and authoritarian practices, is using sanctions as a tool.
- Theutilization of sanctions in the context of war-and-conflicts and crime-and-justice, such as the potential sanctions against Azerbaijani officials for human rights violations, is part of wider geopolitical strategies.
- General-news outlets have reported on the possibility of policy-and-legislation changes in the form of sanctions, which could impact the economic standing and politics of Azerbaijan, further influencing its stance toward the West.
