Take Action

Demand Their Freedom

Silence is complicity. Here is how you can help defend press freedom.

Copy this template and send it to the Azerbaijani government.

Your Excellency President Aliyev,

I am writing to express deep concern about the imprisonment of nine women journalists in Azerbaijan on fabricated charges. These journalists were doing their jobs: reporting on corruption and holding power to account.

I call upon you to immediately and unconditionally release all detained journalists, drop all charges related to their journalistic work, and ensure independent investigations into allegations of torture and sexual violence in detention.

I am particularly alarmed by the medical situation documented by FIDH and OMCT in July 2026: imprisoned journalists refused the MRI scans their doctors requested, a pituitary tumour left unmonitored, untreated breathing conditions, and abnormal bleeding left without gynaecological examination. Whatever the legal proceedings, denying a detainee necessary medical care is indefensible. I urge you to grant them immediate examination and treatment by independent physicians.

The world is watching. Press freedom is a fundamental human right.

Respectfully,
[Your Name]

Address: His Excellency Ilham Aliyev, 19 Istiqlaliyyat Street, Baku AZ1066, Azerbaijan

Dear [Minister/Representative],

I am writing to urge you to raise the cases of imprisoned Azerbaijani journalists in bilateral meetings and at international forums such as the Council of Europe and the European Union.

Nine women journalists are currently imprisoned in Azerbaijan for practicing independent journalism. For three of them — Sevinj Vagifgizi, Nargiz Absalamova and Elnara Gasimova of Abzas Media — the sentences of 8 to 9 years became final on 3 April 2026, when the Supreme Court dismissed their cassation appeals and exhausted every remedy available inside the country. Six more are still on trial and face up to 12 years; that trial lost its entire panel of judges in June 2026 and restarted in July. In July 2026 FIDH and OMCT documented that five of these women are being denied medical care, including refused MRI scans and an unmonitored pituitary tumour. Azerbaijan now ranks 171st of 180 countries on RSF's 2026 World Press Freedom Index. Amnesty International, RSF, Human Rights Watch, CPJ and ARTICLE 19 have all condemned these detentions.

I ask that our government publicly call for their immediate release and support independent monitoring of their detention conditions.

Sincerely,
[Your Name]

Send a Letter to Prison

Write a message of solidarity directly to one of the imprisoned journalists. Select a recipient, write your message, and we will deliver it within two weeks via legal channels.

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Send anonymously

Your letter will be delivered through legal channels within approximately 2 weeks. Anonymous letters are welcome — your identity will never be shared without consent.

Your letter was not sent. The delivery form is not reachable right now, so nothing was submitted — and we will not pretend otherwise. Your words are still in the box above. Copy them and email them to contact@voicesofcourage.org, and they will be passed on through the same legal channels.

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Your letter has been received!

We will deliver it to within approximately two weeks. Thank you for your solidarity.

What You Can Do

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EU Citizens

Write to your MEP. Reference the European Parliament Joint Statement of 25 June 2025. Demand Magnitsky sanctions on Azerbaijani officials responsible.

Find Your MEP

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Journalists

Mention the imprisoned journalists in your reporting. Request accreditation to attend the Meydan TV trial. Contact the Azerbaijani Embassy for comment.

Press Kit

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Academics

Cite these cases in publications on press freedom. Invite exiled Azerbaijani journalists to speak. Include Azerbaijan in comparative research.

Get in Touch

Have information to add? Want to collaborate? Reach out to us.

Thank you! Your message has been received.

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