[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 616 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

<DOC>






118th CONGRESS
  2d Session
S. RES. 616

 Condemning the treatment of Dr. Gubad Ibadoghlu by the Government of 
  Azerbaijan and urging his immediate release, and for other purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             March 22, 2024

 Mr. Tillis (for himself, Mr. Durbin, Mr. Cassidy, Mr. Kaine, and Mr. 
 Fetterman) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to 
                   the Committee on Foreign Relations

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
 Condemning the treatment of Dr. Gubad Ibadoghlu by the Government of 
  Azerbaijan and urging his immediate release, and for other purposes.

Whereas Dr. Gubad Ibadoghlu, a respected academic and economist, and his wife, 
        Irada Bayramova, were arrested by Azerbaijani authorities on July 23, 
        2023, and severely beaten while in police custody;
Whereas Dr. Ibadoghlu was dubiously accused by Azerbaijani authorities of 
        multiple criminal acts without evidence;
Whereas Dr. Ibadoghlu remains imprisoned at the Baku Detention Center in 
        extremely poor conditions while awaiting trial;
Whereas Dr. Ibadoghlu's health has deteriorated significantly since his initial 
        arrest, and he has not received adequate medical treatment for his 
        medical condition;
Whereas Dr. Ibadoghlu has been repeatedly denied access to his legal counsel and 
        a fair trial while in custody;
Whereas the Department of State and the United States Embassy in Baku, along 
        with United States academic institutions and respected international 
        organizations, have expressed deep concerns regarding Dr. Ibadoghlu's 
        health and have demanded his immediate release;
Whereas Azerbaijan's ties with the community of democracies has been undermined 
        by a troubling record of wrongfully detaining those involved in human 
        rights, journalism, and peaceful freedom of expression, including 
        Bakhtiyar Hajiyev, Avaz Zeynalli, and Elchin Sadigov;
Whereas the wrongful detention of Dr. Ibadoghlu is a serious affront to human 
        rights and academic freedom: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) condemns--
                    (A) the treatment of Dr. Ibadoghlu by the 
                Government of Azerbaijan;
                    (B) such government's practice of wrongful 
                detention; and
                    (C) such government's suppression of academic 
                freedom;
            (2) calls for the immediate and unconditional release of 
        political prisoners in Azerbaijan, including Dr. Ibadoghlu; and
            (3) urges the Secretary of State to continue prioritizing 
        Dr. Ibadoghlu's well-being and release in all engagements with 
        the Government of Azerbaijan.
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