Azerbaijan has been classified as a high-risk country for torture in the second edition of the Global Torture Index

On 25 June 2026, the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT) published the second edition of the Global Torture Index. In this edition, the scope of the Index was expanded to cover 39 countries, and Azerbaijan was included for the first time among the countries assessed.

The Global Torture Index is an international monitoring and accountability system that assesses the risk of torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. Developed by the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT), the Index evaluates States’ legal, institutional and practical performance in preventing torture. First launched in 2025, it is one of the first international initiatives to systematically measure the risk of torture. Its purpose is to provide governments, international organisations and the public with reliable information through an interactive and accessible online platform.

The Index assesses States’ performance across seven key areas: (i) political commitment against torture; (ii) ending police brutality and institutional violence; (iii) freedom from torture while deprived of liberty; (iv) ending impunity; (v) victims’ rights; (vi) protection for all; and (vii) right to defend and civic space. The assessment is based on international human rights standards, in particular the United Nations Convention against Torture, its Optional Protocol, and other relevant international standards.

According to its methodology, the Index classifies countries into five categories based on the risk of torture and other ill-treatment: low, moderate, considerable, high, and very high risk. These risk levels reflect States’ performance in preventing torture, protecting human rights, and implementing their international obligations.

In the second edition of the Index, published on 25 June 2026, Azerbaijan was classified as a “high risk” country for torture and other ill-treatment. The assessment indicates the existence of serious systemic problems in the prevention of torture and other ill-treatment, the implementation of legal safeguards, and the protection of human rights in the country.

The Index notes that torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment in Azerbaijan are systemic, widespread, and persistent. It further states that such practices are applied disproportionately against political prisoners, journalists, human rights defenders, and civil society activists.

The Index highlights the near-total impunity for torture offences in Azerbaijan. According to the General Prosecutor’s Office of the Republic of Azerbaijan, 2,488 investigations were conducted in 2024 into allegations of torture, inhuman or degrading treatment, abuse of office, and other related offences. Of these, 2,261 were closed without result, and no convictions were secured for acts of torture. The Ombudsman, which formally performs the functions of the National Preventive Mechanism, also reported that its visits to places of detention and custody during the period 2023–2025 did not identify any cases of torture or other ill-treatment.

The Index also provides a critical assessment of Azerbaijan’s implementation of its international obligations. Azerbaijan acceded to the United Nations Convention against Torture in 1996, accepted the individual complaints mechanism under Article 22 of the Convention, and ratified the Optional Protocol in 2009. Nevertheless, the Index notes that the country’s cooperation with international monitoring mechanisms remains insufficient. Over the past five years, Azerbaijan has responded to only one of the four communications sent by the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Torture and has accepted only a portion of the recommendations made under the Universal Periodic Review.

The report also highlights that Azerbaijan has the highest rate of non-implementation of leading judgments of the European Court of Human Rights among the member States of the Council of Europe, with 75% of leading judgments remaining unimplemented. The majority of these unimplemented leading judgments concern conditions of detention, torture and ill-treatment, the right to liberty and security, as well as violations of the right to life.

The report also identifies concerns regarding the independence of the National Preventive Mechanism. Since 2018, the Ombudsman has held “B” status under the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions, and since 2023 has not published any official monitoring findings concerning torture or other ill-treatment.

The Index recommends that Azerbaijan allow independent and unrestricted monitoring of places of detention in order to prevent torture and other ill-treatment, strengthen the independence of the National Preventive Mechanism, and adopt a policy of “zero tolerance” towards torture.

The State should effectively investigate allegations of torture, sexual violence, and other ill-treatment, hold those responsible accountable, and ensure that victims have access to legal protection and rehabilitation. It should also improve conditions of detention, ensure the provision of adequate medical care, and guarantee in practice that evidence obtained through torture is inadmissible in court proceedings.

The report also identifies, among its key recommendations, the need to end politically motivated persecution, release political prisoners, and guarantee the ability of lawyers, journalists, human rights defenders, and non-governmental organizations to operate freely.

As a member of the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT) and the Azerbaijan partner for the Global Torture Index, the Independent Lawyers Network contributed to the assessment process for Azerbaijan in the Global Torture Index. The Independent Lawyers Network will continue to contribute to advocacy, monitoring, documentation, and awareness-raising efforts aimed at preventing torture and ill-treatment, in line with international human rights standards.