Azerbaijan Institute for Democracy and Human Rights

Possible U.S. military intervention in Venezuela on the agenda – Ahmad Shahidov speaks to ARB24 Television

Rising sanctions, instability in global energy markets and increased military activity in the Caribbean have pushed U.S.–Venezuela relations into a new and tense phase. Washington’s expanded restrictions on PDVSA and the ongoing legal process surrounding the “Citgo” assets have brought the issue to the forefront of international attention.  Speaking to ARB24 Television, political analyst […]

Strategic agreement between the United States and Azerbaijan will strengthen stability in the region — Ahmad Shahidov speaks to ARB24 Television

A new diplomatic stage is emerging in the South Caucasus. The US government plans to establish Strategic Working Groups with both Azerbaijan and Armenia by the end of the year. This initiative is considered an important step toward creating parallel cooperation mechanisms with the two countries and ensuring lasting regional stability. Washington’s growing activity demonstrates […]

“The government shutdown in the US is the result of political confrontation” – Ahmad Shahidov told Baku TV

The US federal government officially shut down as of October 1. This “shutdown” stems from Congress’ failure to approve the budget for the 2026 fiscal year. Due to the lack of compromise between Republicans and Democrats, non-essential government functions have been suspended, hundreds of thousands of federal employees have been furloughed, and the implementation of […]

“If Iran quits the nuclear treaty, it may face new sanctions” – Ahmad Shahidov told ARB24 channel

Iranian government spokesperson Fatemeh Mohajerani announced that 60 percent enriched uranium is stored underground in the country and urged Europe not to activate the “trigger mechanism.” Otherwise, Tehran may consider withdrawing from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). This statement has sparked new tensions in the international arena.  Commenting on the issue, political analyst Ahmad […]

Anti-Azerbaijan amendments rejected in U.S. Congress – Ahmad Shahidov comments to ARB24 Television

The U.S. House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee has rejected two amendments considered during the reauthorization process of the State Department. Both amendments were explicitly anti-Azerbaijan and had long been proposed by Democrat Congressman Brad Sherman from California. The first amendment sought to prohibit the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation from supporting projects in Azerbaijan, […]

Human rights defender Dr. Ahmad Shahidov delivers a message on July 4th — U.S. Independence Day

Today, on July 4th, human rights defender and international human rights activist Dr. Ahmad Shahidov delivered a video message from Washington, D.C., congratulating the people of the United States on Independence Day and calling on the international community to defend peace and human rights. In his address, Dr. Ahmad Shahidov emphasized that the principles proclaimed […]

US elections, expectations from Donald Trump and COP29 in Baku – a short commentary from Washington DC

Today I prepared a short commentary video for my viewers from Washington DC, the capital of the United States. I talked about the presidential elections in the United States, Donald Trump’s victory and the innovations awaiting the world. I also talked about the COP29 conference that is underway in Azerbaijan today.

Ahmad Shahidov meets with U.S. Ambassador to Azerbaijan, Robert F. Cekuta

The sides held discussions on recent state of human rights in Azerbaijan and decree of pardon Ahmad Shahidov, Head of Azerbaijani Institute for Democracy and Human Rights (AIDHR) held a meeting with H.E. Robert F. Cekuta, U.S. Ambassador to Azerbaijan. During the meeting head of AIDHR touched on the state of human rights and decree […]

US Senator John McCain: “Putin’s next target is Azerbaijan”

During his meeting with United States Senator, head of AIDHR raised Nagorno Kharabakh issue The 10th annual GLOBSEC 2015 Bratislava Global Security Forum continued its panel of discussions on June 21. The forum which was attended by high ranked officials of Europe focused on security issues, counter-terrorism and Russian external policy. The panel that devoted to […]


Ahmad Shahidov’s speech at OSCE Vienna meeting angered US diplomats – VIDEO

The freedoms of association and assembly were discussed at the meeting OSCE’s next meeting was held in Vienna, Austria on April 16 with a focus on the freedoms of association and assembly in OSCE participating countries. In his speech B. Baer, United States Ambassador for the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe stayed on Azerbaijan and harshly criticised official Baku […]

U.S. voices concerns over the deteriorating situation for civil society, media in Azerbaijan

Washington remains concerned about the deteriorating situation for civil society in Azerbaijan, including journalists and media outlets, US Ambassador Daniel Baer, US Representative to the OSCE, noted in his recent statement delivered to the organization’s Permanent Council. “We urge Azerbaijan to adhere to its commitments and to respect the rights of individuals, including those working […]

“We do believe that Robert F. Cekuta’s arrival will be turning point in the USA-Azerbaijani relations” – AIDHR

We do hope that newly appointed U.S. Ambassador to Azerbaijan will pay much attention to the issues of democracy and human rights Robert Cekuta, newly appointed U.S. Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Azerbaijan will arrive in Baku on February 12. It’s expected that following his taking the office USA-Azerbaijan relations will enter a new stage. […]

“Propaganda campaign launched against USA contradicts Azerbaijani interests” – AIDHR

Deliberate anti-propaganda campaigns carried out by several new media means are made by the forces that do not want to see Azerbaijan`s prosperity There are close relations between Azerbaijan and the USA. It was on December 25, 1991 that USA recognized independence of the Republic of Azerbaijan. Diplomatic ties between the two countries were established […]

Another Congressman Calls for Release of Khadija Ismayilova

Member of the US House of Representatives, the head of the Subcommittee on Europe and Eurasia Dana Rohrabacher denounced the pressure on Radio Azadlig. In his statement, he said: “Azerbaijan is certainly a valuable ally of the US in this important part of the world. However, recent government actions against Radio Azadlig do not contribute […]

Washington event: US backs independent voices, seeks ‘engagement’ with Azerbaijan

Washington on Monday made it clear that it will continue to support independent voices in Azerbaijan while seeking a way to “engage constructively” with the Azeri government. “We want to engage with Azerbaijan more vigorously at government higher levels,” Thomas Melia, State Department deputy Assistant Secretary on Democracy, Human Rights and Labor, said at a […]

Situation in Azerbaijan to Be Discussed in Washington

Hearings on the situation in Azerbaijan will be held in Washington D.C. on January 12. The discussion entitled “Silencing independent voices in Azerbaijan” is organized by the National Endowment for Democracy (NED). As noted in the statement on its website, unprecedented repression against opposition-minded people is taking place in Azerbaijan. Arrests of journalists, human rights […]

US Embassy: We’re friends of Azerbaijan

The US Embassy in Baku issued a statement in which reads that America has always been one of the active supporters of the sovereignty of Azerbaijan. The United States has always been one of the strongest supporters of Azerbaijan’s sovereignty. We’ve demonstrated that support in many ways since Azerbaijan gained independence and are committed to […]

State Department wants to know why the American aid is blocked

Noah Krystel, Department of State EUR-ACE Deputy Director. is with a fact finding mission to see about conditions affecting US assistance to Azerbaijan. In particular, he intends to understand the factors that influence the American aid, stated the US Embassy in Baku. In the afternoon Krystel already met with the press, and expressed serious concern […]

Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry: “Washington we cannot decree”

Successive attempts of the U.S. intervention in the internal affairs of Azerbaijan is absolutely unacceptable, said Acting Foreign Ministry spokesman Azerbaijan Hikmet Hajiyev, commenting on the statement of the  spokesman of the U.S. State Department Jen Psak  calling to cease physical and moral pressure on the human rights activist Leyla Yunus and release it. “Azerbaijan […]

Elmar Mammadyarov: United States propose to start work on a major agreement on Karabakh

The meeting of Secretary of State John Kerry with the presidents of Azerbaijan and Armenia in the framework of the NATO summit was fact-finding. Kerry wanted to know what America needs to do to advance the peace process, stated Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov said at today’s press conference in Baku after talks with his Moldovan […]

The prosecutor’s office does not recognize the citizenship of the United States for Said Nuri

«Temporary restriction of the movement of Said Nuri is associated with the investigation of the criminal case by the prosecutor’s office,” said the General Prosecutor’s Office of Azerbaijan at noon on Friday. Prosecutors say Said Nuri remains a citizen of Azerbaijan, who is registered at the address:. Vung Tau Street, 11, Apt. 9. “The temporary […]

State Department reacts on Said Nuri’s case : “Allow Nuri depart the country immediately”

Washington on Wednesday reacted to the reports regarding a US citizen being barred from leaving Azerbaijan. Said Nuri, 32 year-old Azeri native, was prevented by local officials at Baku international airport, as he was about to depart after having visited his family on a two weeks tourist visa issued by the Azeri Embassy in Washington, […]

Citizen of the United States not let out of Baku

This morning a United States citizen, Said Nuri was prevented from leaving Baku. “When passing the border control I was told that I could not leave the country because of the prohibittion by a decision of the Prosecutor General and the Ministry of Security,” Said Nuri, a former activist of the Popular Front told Turan. […]

Respect the ceasefire; double the peace efforts, MG Co-chair urges Baku, Yerevan

TURAN’s interview with Ambassador James Warlick, top US envoy on the conflict As shots across the Line of Contact between Azerbaijan and Armenia have recently become more common, causing reportedly at least 50 lives from both sides in the past few weeks, many that were involved in the peacemaking efforts, worry thata settlement will not […]

Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry: Washington should not dictate us

Statement by the Press Secretary of the Department of State on Azerbaijan on August 27 and 28, are not justified and are not acceptable, stated Foreign Ministry’s spokesman Elman Abdullayev. “Such statements have political character, and are an attempt to exert political pressure and interference in the internal affairs of Azerbaijan. This statement does not […]