15. Conclusion
The current crisis has revealed how Azerbaijan is exploiting divisions within the Council of Europe. While Baku values the prestige of membership, it aims to impose its own rules and weaken the institution from within. By refusing oversight while continuing to benefit from technical cooperation and political status, Azerbaijan has turned selective engagement into a strategy of impunity.
This approach not only damages the CoE’s credibility but also sets a dangerous precedent for other member states. Georgia’s recent actions towards a similar strategy highlight the real risk of contagion. Governments facing criticism will withdraw from scrutiny while maintaining the privileges of membership. If left unchecked, this practice risks undermining the CoE’s authority and weakening its role as the defender of democracy, human rights, and the rule of law.
Azerbaijan’s citizens bear the human cost of this institutional paralysis. Political prisoners, independent journalists, human rights defenders, and lawyers are left without protection, while families of detainees face harassment and intimidation. Allowing Azerbaijan to retain the benefits of membership while openly violating its obligations sends a devastating message to them, that their rights are expendable, and that international commitments can be disregarded with impunity.
The CoE must therefore respond with unity and resolve. Any negotiations on Azerbaijan’s status must be grounded in a strong collective position, beginning with the immediate release of political prisoners and concrete measures to restore civic space. The institution must also be prepared to activate its existing tools – such as Article 52 inquiries, infringement proceedings, and the joint complementary procedure – if Baku continues to defy its obligations.
Ultimately, the Azerbaijani case is a test of the CoE’s integrity. Political expediency cannot override the institution’s founding principles. A united, principled response is essential – not only to safeguard the rights of Azerbaijani citizens, but also to preserve the credibility and future of the CoE itself.