PACE resolution highlights murder of Avaz Hafizli and violence against LGBTQI+ people in Azerbaijan

The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe adopted a comprehensive resolution on the silencing of dissenting voices in Azerbaijan in June 2026. The document also noted the tragic death of LGBTQI+ activist Avaz Hafizli.

The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) adopted a resolution on the human rights situation in Azerbaijan in June 2026. The report, titled "Silencing of critical voices in Azerbaijan," was prepared by Belgian MEP Christophe Lacroix and documented the widespread repression.

Death of Avaz Hafizli

On February 22, 2022, Avaz Hafizli was murdered by his own cousin in his home in Baku. He was a courageous activist and journalist who covered violence and injustices against the LGBTQI+ community in Azerbaijan. He worked as a reporter for the independent video news website Kanal 13.

His work has never been easy. He joined rallies against the Media Law, calling on the government to end discrimination against LGBTQI+ people. He barricaded himself in front of the Prosecutor General's Office to protest the inaction against threats directed at the LGBTQI+ community.

According to the PACE report, the murderer, Amrullah Gulaliyev, confessed to the crime during an argument over his cousin's sexual orientation and activism in this area. The court sentenced him to 9 years and 6 months in prison.

More importantly, the report lists gaps in the state's response to the case. The connection of the crime to Avaz Hafizli's journalistic work, LGBTQI+ activism and identity was not properly investigated. The report highlights the lack of laws against hate speech, the lack of protection mechanisms for LGBTQI+ advocates, and the biased approach of the police to the case, which bears traces of "widespread public stigma."

"Little has been done"

The PACE report does not view Avaz Hafizli's death as an isolated incident, but as part of a broader picture. The document says that threats and insults directed at people who are victims of homophobia and transphobia are significant in Azerbaijan, but that almost no action is being taken against them.

The report sets out the state's obligations:

"Physical attacks, acts of violence or threats of violence against the life and safety of human rights defenders, including members of the LGBTI+ community, as well as hate crimes, must be properly investigated and the perpetrators held accountable."

The destruction of independent media

Avaz Hafizli's case took place against the backdrop of a wider crackdown. The report puts this crackdown into numbers. Azerbaijan ranks 171st out of 180 countries in the press freedom index, the lowest among Council of Europe member states. As of early 2026, there were no independent media outlets operating from within the country.

Dozens of reporters and media workers have been arrested on trumped-up criminal charges. Members of the Abzas Media team have been sentenced to prison terms ranging from 7.5 to 9 years. Toplum TV’s office has been raided and its online channels have been deleted.

This crackdown has squeezed the LGBTQI+ community from three sides. Even the few independent publications covering LGBTQI+ issues are being shut down, journalists are being pressured, and legal mechanisms to hold accountable hate speech are virtually non-existent.

What does PACE demand?

The resolution calls on the Azerbaijani authorities to take a number of serious steps. These include properly investigating hate crimes against human rights defenders, including LGBTQI+ activists, releasing imprisoned journalists, reviewing the cases of political prisoners, and implementing the judgments of the European Court of Human Rights.

The Assembly also made recommendations to other member states. Thus, issuing visas to dissidents, activists, and journalists forced to emigrate for political reasons should be facilitated, politically motivated extradition requests should be abandoned, and asylum applications should be carefully considered.

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