Political prisoners currently in detention have issued a statement announcing the establishment of Political Prisoners’ Day in Azerbaijan.
The statement says: “On May 28, Azerbaijan celebrated Republic Day – Independence Day. However, unfortunately, in a country that is now 108 years old, no concrete reforms have been carried out regarding human rights and freedoms. In particular, during the Aliyev family’s last 30 years in power, civil rights and freedoms have deteriorated to a level even worse than during the 70 years of Soviet authoritarian rule. The current authoritarian government has comprehensively restricted all political, economic, and cultural freedoms, suppressed political competition, and completely dismantled the media and civil society institutions. The country’s politically active citizens, opposition leaders, representatives of civil society, and members of the media have been subjected to repression and imprisonment. Overall, political arrests and pressure have become a routine form of punishment during the 30 years of authoritarian rule. At present, there are more than 300 political prisoners in Azerbaijan, including 9 women journalists.
Taking all of this into account, and considering that the problem of political prisoners has remained a pressing issue in the country for 30 years, we consider it necessary to establish and annually observe Political Prisoners’ Day in Azerbaijan. Therefore, we designate November 18, the memorial day of Azerbaijan’s first female political prisoner, political activist Faina Kungurova, who was imprisoned, tortured under the Aliyev government, and died in prison while on a hunger strike, as Political Prisoners’ Day in Azerbaijan.”
Azerbaijani citizen Faina Kungurova was born on October 18, 1974, and died on November 18, 2007, in prison while on a hunger strike.
The political prisoners appealed to the Azerbaijani people and the international community to treat this issue with sensitivity, to observe Political Prisoners’ Day every year beginning on November 18, 2026, and to commemorate Faina Kungurova, who lost her life in the struggle for democracy, at her grave.
The statement was signed by the following detainees who are recognized as political prisoners: Shamshad Agha, Aynur Elgunesh, Akif Gurbanov, Natig Javadli, Ruslan Izzatli, Rufat Safarov, Sevinj Vagifgizi Aytaj Tapdig, Khayala Aghayeva, Aysel Umudova, Ulviyye Ali, Fatima Movlamli, Ramin Deko, Nurlan Gahramanli, Ahmad Mukhtar, Nargiz Absalamova, Ulvi Hasanli, Elnara Gasimova, Mushfig Jabbar, Afiyaddin Mammadov, Farid Ismayilov, Ramil Babayev, Ilkin Amrahov, Mammad Mammadzada, Bahruz Samadov, Hafiz Babalı, Imran Aliyev, and Ali Zeynal.
