Azerbaijan: Several Journalists Intimidated and Obstructed While Covering Elections
Ulviyya Ali and Lida Abbasli face pressure at polling stations
Location: Azerbaijan, Baku
Date: February 7, 2024
In the wake of the recent elections in Azerbaijan, Women Press Freedom is deeply concerned about the alarming reports of intimidation, obstruction, and censorship faced by journalists, including Ulviyya Ali and Lida Abbasli. The February 7 elections have underscored the Azerbaijani government's continuing trend of authoritarian governance, marked by a stark intolerance for dissent and a systematic suppression of independent media. Furthermore, the detention of six journalists from AbzasMedia in December 2023, under dubious charges, exemplifies the escalating crackdown on independent media voices. The international community must not remain silent in the face of these egregious violations of press freedom and democratic norms. Women Press Freedom urges global leaders to condemn the Azerbaijani government's actions and to call for the immediate release of detained journalists. We demand that President Ilham Aliyev's regime cease its intimidation tactics and allow the press to fulfill its essential role in society without fear of persecution.
In the aftermath of the February 7 election in Azerbaijan, reports from independent journalists reveal a disturbing pattern of intimidation and censorship aimed at stifling press freedom. Ulviyya Ali, a freelance reporter who covered the election, tells Women Press Freedom she faced pressure from election commission representatives inside polling stations.
“Since 2013, I've been covering various elections, and I've noticed a trend where they attempt to impede independent journalists under the guise of formal reasons,” explains Ali.
Photo taken during the 2024 election. Person is holding Ulviyya Ali’s hand and interfering with her work.
When Ali arrived at each precinct she met the election commission chairman and signed in using her press card. Ali recounts how one precinct chairman began to dictate where the journalist should or shouldn’t stand. “They wanted me to film from a distance, as if I was blocking them, while I was standing 3-4 steps behind where they were standing.” The incident escalated when “one of them grabbed my arm and pulled me to the side, and I told them not to touch me,” recalls Ali.
At another polling station, despite showing her press credentials, a precinct chairman demanded Ali register as a journalist affiliated with the Central Election Commission, which isn't mandated by law. She tried to argue with the chairperson, insisting she had a right to report.
“I saw that the argument was futile and started filming,” says Ali. “The precinct chairman started shouting at me that "you came from the street, how do we know you are a journalist", and I told him that "I did not come from the street, I have a press card."
Another person present saw Ali was filming and started “playing for the camera.” The man began to lie, saying that Ali had refused to register. “I was shocked to hear that,” says Ali. “That was what I was trying to do that day, but they were refusing to register me and were trying to stop the recording.”
Similarly, Lida Abbasli, an independent journalist who spoke to Meydan TV, was prevented from filming at a polling station.
“At first, a man approached and asked who I was. I said, 'I am a journalist, I came to report on the process.' He went and called a woman. They kicked me out of the station, saying I couldn't shoot without even asking if I was from any media organization," explains Abbasli.
These accounts echo similar stories told by other journalists covering the election. Despite assurances from the head of the Central Election Commission (CEC) that journalists "should not hesitate from filming any problems" at polling stations, these promises were not upheld on the ground. Media law expert Alasgar Mammadli condemned such treatment of journalists as unlawful.
“Since 2013, I’ve been covering various elections, and I’ve noticed a trend where they attempt to impede independent journalists under the guise of formal reasons”
Ulviyya Ali notes that similar incidents happen in every election. She tells Women Press Freedom that during the 2020 elections, a chairman tried to take her phone from her when she was filming.
”When you enter the station and say that you are a journalist, they try to treat you kindly, and then when they see that you are an independent journalist, not the government, things change,” explains Ali. “They try to put pressure on you and prevent you from doing your work. But the pressure doesn't end there, the government media is also starting a slander campaign about the media you work for, as if you are ‘trying to paint a black picture of the country’ or ‘working for the West’.”
Independent election observers faced similar pressure and intimidation tactics. Multiple observers reported break-in attempts into their Telegram and WhatsApp channels, indicating a coordinated effort to stop them from monitoring the election independently.
The election, which resulted in President Ilham Aliyev securing his fifth consecutive term with over 92% of the vote, has raised concerns among international observers. The snap poll, prompted by the government's takeover of Nagorno-Karabakh from ethnic Armenian separatists, was marred by the absence of genuine competition. Major opposition parties boycotted the election, labeling it an "imitation of democracy."
“The government media is also starting a slander campaign about the media you work for, as if you are ‘trying to paint a black picture of the country’ or ‘working for the West’”
The repeated failure to conduct free, fair, and transparent elections in Azerbaijan reflects a broader pattern of authoritarian governance and disregard for democratic principles. President Aliyev's administration has consistently demonstrated a reluctance to tolerate dissent or opposition, resorting instead to suppressing independent media and employing control and intimidation tactics to maintain power.
The recent intensification of the state's press crackdown has seen the targeting of independent investigative outlet AbzasMedia. Six of the outlet’s journalists, including editor-in-chief Sevinj Vagifgizi and journalists Nargiz Absalamova and Elnara Gasimova were arrested on dubious charges and remain in detention.
“This constant fear is tangible every time you step out of your home or even when taking photos, knowing that you could face the same consequences. Their arrest serves as a clear threat to other independent journalists”
Ulviyya Ali says the arrests have heighted oppression faced by independent journalists in Azerbaijan. “It appears to be a warning, suggesting that writing about certain topics could lead to a similar fate.”
“This constant fear is tangible every time you step out of your home or even when taking photos, knowing that you could face the same consequences. Their arrest serves as a clear threat to other independent journalists,” says Ali.
Relatives of the detained AbzasMedia journalists have also faced persecution with their state benefits cut. Azerbaijan journalists living in exile in Georgia have also experienced harassment and assault from groups they believe are connected to Azerbaijan security services in Tbilisi.
The incidents surrounding the Azerbaijan election highlight the need for international attention and condemnation of the erosion of press freedom and democratic norms in the country. Women Press Freedom denounces the attempts to obstruct journalists from reporting from polling stations and considers it yet another tactic by the regime to suppress information and control the narrative. Journalists must be allowed to report elections freely.
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