ILN Continued Active Work to Advance Implementation of Longstanding ECtHR Judgments during 2025

Between January and August 2025, the Independent Lawyers Network (ILN) together partner organisations continued its active engagement in supporting the implementation of long-standing, unexecuted judgments of the European Court of Human Rights against Azerbaijan. During this period, ILN co-developed and submitted in several instances jointly with partner organisations at least five Rule 9.2 communications to the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, the body responsible for supervising the execution of Court judgments.

The submissions addressed systemic and structural violations across several critical groups of cases:

• Khadija Ismayilova group: Concerning freedom of expression and reprisals against investigative journalists.
• Mammadli group: Relating to politically motivated arbitrary detention (submissions made in January and July 2025).
• Namazov Group: Addressing violations affecting the independence of the legal profession.
• Ramazanova and others group: Concerning systemic denial of NGO registration and freedom of association.

Through these detailed Rule 9.2 submissions, ILN provided updated legal analysis, documented ongoing non-compliance, and proposed concrete measures required to ensure effective domestic reforms. ILN’s continued engagement reflects its commitment to promoting structural change, strengthening rule of law safeguards, and ensuring that Strasbourg judgments are not reduced to declaratory findings but translated into meaningful implementation on the ground.

ILN plans to continue this active engagement throughout 2026, with new at least 3 Rule 9.2 submissions to the Committee of Ministers to promote the full and effective implementation of ECtHR judgments in Azerbaijan.

Rule 9.2 Submissions (HUDOC links):

• Khadija Ismayilova group (DH-DD(2025)87E)
• Mammadli group – January Submission (DH-DD(2025)89E)
• Mammadli group – July Submission (DH-DD(2025)885E)
• Namazov Group (DH-DD(2025)575E)
• Ramazanova and others group (DH-DD(2025)879E)