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March 06, 2025 – Azerbaijan –
On International Women’s Day 2025, nine women journalists in Azerbaijan marked the occasion not with celebration, but from behind bars—imprisoned in a country increasingly hostile to independent reporting. These women, known for their critical journalism and advocacy for human rights, now face harsh conditions and criminal charges widely condemned as politically motivated.
Among the detainees are prominent journalists such as Sevinj Vagifgizi, Ulviyya Ali, and Nargiz Absalamova, all affiliated with independent media outlet Abzas Media, which has faced a systematic crackdown since late 2023. Azerbaijani authorities accuse them of “smuggling,” a charge they deny and which rights groups say is a thinly veiled excuse to target their investigative reporting on corruption and governance failures.
The arrests reflect an intensified campaign by the Azerbaijani government to silence dissenting voices, particularly women who challenge entrenched patriarchal norms. In a deeply conservative society, women journalists not only risk state retaliation but also social stigma and online harassment for daring to speak out.
Human Rights Watch and Global Voices report that these journalists have endured extended pre-trial detention, inadequate legal protections, and growing pressure on their families. The detentions are part of a broader pattern: over the past year, dozens of journalists and activists have been arrested under vague charges, and independent media outlets have been raided or forced to shut down.
In the case of Abzas Media, raids have led to the seizure of equipment and documents, effectively paralyzing its newsroom. Observers say the outlet was targeted specifically for its investigations into high-level government corruption.
Despite the repression, many of these journalists remain defiant. Letters from prison describe their continued commitment to truth and justice. International watchdogs, including the Committee to Protect Journalists and Reporters Without Borders, have demanded their release, calling the arrests a clear violation of press freedom and women’s rights.
As global attention turns to women’s contributions in media, the plight of these nine Azerbaijani journalists underscores the urgent need for international solidarity and pressure on authoritarian regimes to end the criminalization of journalism.
Reference –
Nine women journalists will spend International Women's Day behind bars in Azerbaijan
