[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 51 (Friday, March 22, 2024)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2600-S2601]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS

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SENATE RESOLUTION 616--CONDEMNING THE TREATMENT OF DR. GUBAD IBADOGHLU 
 BY THE GOVERNMENT OF AZERBAIJAN AND URGING HIS IMMEDIATE RELEASE, AND 
                           FOR OTHER PURPOSES

  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:

                              S. Res. 616

       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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