IntroductionSince independence in 1991, Azerbaijan has ratified all the major international human rights treaties and the European Convention on Human Rights, but its human rights record has been consistently poor. Notably, though, successive governments have made small, positive changes in response to pressure from their European and United States partners, particularly in the areas of legislative reform and releases of political prisoners. An example of this is the series of releases of political prisoners in 2004 and 2005 in response to pressure from the Council of Europe.2 In recent years, Azerbaijan has received increasing attention from Europe and the United States, accompanied by increased aid allocations and defense and other cooperation.3 The Azerbaijani government recognizes and seeks the benefits of developing closer relations with Europe and the United States.4 This suggests that the relationship with the E.U. can be an important lever in prevailing on the Azerbaijani government to pursue reform in law and in practice. Thus far, however, the international community has not provided Azerbaijan with sufficient incentive to carry out serious reforms that would ensure compliance with the standards to which it has committed itself. [2] President Ilham Aliev has issued decrees for the release of political prisoners on March 17, May 10, September 3, and December 29, 2004, as well as on March 20, 2005. Council of Europe, “Follow up to Resolution 1359 (2004) on political prisoners in Azerbaijan,” Document 10473, March 14, 2005, Parliamentary Assembly. Azerbaijan Federation of Human Rights, “List of Political Prisoners liberated on pardon of March 20, 2005,” e-mail communication received by Human Rights Watch on March 20, 2005. [3] After the September 11, 2001 attacks in the U.S., the U.S. lifted the Section 907 Freedom Support Act restriction on assistance to the Government of Azerbaijan, and consequently increased its direct aid and cooperation with Azerbaijan. U.S. State Department, “U.S. Assistance to Azerbaijan- Fiscal Year 2002,” Fact Sheet, Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs, Washington DC, June 6, 2002, [on-line] http://www.state.gov/p/eur/rls/fs/11028.htm (retrieved May 30, 2005). In 2001, the E.U. confirmed its willingness to play a more active role in the south Caucasus countries, as described in the Country Report on Azerbaijan. European Union, Commission Staff Working Paper, European Neighbourhood Policy, Country Report, Azerbaijan, 2005. [4] For example, in his address on Azerbaijan's Day of the Republic, President Ilham Aliev stated Azerbaijan's willingness to be aligned with Europe and the West: “The Azerbaijan Democratic Republic is an example of the new state and society, integrally synthesizing the European democratic values, features of Eastern culture and our national cultural wealth. Being the Muslim country, Azerbaijan at the same time along the history willingly joined the Western values, culture, and the Azerbaijan intelligentsia and politicians saw the future of the country in modern education, science, in the family of civilized peoples.” President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, “Congratulation to the People of Azerbaijan on the Occasion of May 28- Day of the Republic,” 2005, [on-line] http://www.president.az/s23_statements/_statements_e.html (retrieved, May 30, 2005).
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