Statement on Transphobic Attack in Baku

Recently, footage circulated of an attack against a trans woman near Neftchilar metro station in Baku. The video shows one of three men in a car livestreaming via phone, while another holds a stone, opens the window, and hurls heavy insults. He then throws the stone at the trans woman, claiming he hit her leg. As they speed away from the scene, the men discuss how many people are watching the livestream, while viewers on social media mock and send laughing reactions. This incident demonstrates how deeply and dangerously transphobia has become normalized in our society—turned into entertainment and a public spectacle.

What happened is not only an assault on one individual but an explicit threat to the life and safety rights of all LGBTQ+ citizens. Unfortunately, this is nothing new. For years in Azerbaijan, LGBTQ+ people have been subjected to physical violence in public spaces. Trans women, in particular, face its harshest forms—humiliation, assault, and even murder. These acts of violence are not random; they are the result of entrenched transphobia in society, the state’s passive stance, and an environment of impunity.

Transphobia does not stop at individual acts of violence; it manifests in social relations, the media, legal loopholes, and the inaction of state institutions. This environment legitimizes violence, enables the open display of hatred, and forces LGBTQ+ citizens to live in constant fear in their daily lives.

As citizens/civil society representatives/collectives, we demand that:

• The perpetrators of the attack near Neftchilar metro be immediately identified and brought to justice; the investigation must be conducted transparently and its results made public.

• Cases of violence against LGBTQ+ citizens motivated by hate be openly condemned by relevant state authorities, and effective preventive measures be taken to stop such incidents.

• Awareness-raising activities be carried out within law enforcement and other state institutions regarding the inadmissibility of discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

• The Azerbaijani government comply with its international human rights obligations by explicitly including the terms “sexual orientation” and “gender identity” in national anti-discrimination legislation and aligning laws with international standards.

• The longstanding open invitation for the UN Independent Expert on protection against violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity be accepted, and cooperation in this regard ensured.

The silence of the state encourages hate crimes and escalates the scale of violence. We call on law enforcement agencies to act, punish the perpetrators, and guarantee the rights of all citizens to safety and equality.

Signatories:

Qıy Vaar

QueeRadar

Minority Azerbaijan

Transvisionary

Q Collective

Femkulis

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