EU's Dilemma: Balancing Energy Needs with Human Rights Concerns in Azerbaijan

The recent jailing of a peace activist in Azerbaijan has ignited criticism towards the EU for prioritizing energy partnerships over human rights concerns, highlighting a complex relationship as Europe seeks to distance itself from Russian gas supply.

When Bahruz Samadov, a 30-year-old peace activist and PhD student, was sentenced to 15 years for treason in Azerbaijan last month, the anger of his friends was aimed squarely at the European Union rather than the authoritarian regime that imprisoned him. Against the backdrop of President Ilham Aliyev's oppressive governance, Samadov's case exemplifies the EU's moral quandary as it navigates energy demands amid a global shift away from Russian gas.

Following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen highlighted Azerbaijan as a crucial ally in diversifying gas sources. However, since then, Aliyev has solidified his grip on power, overseeing a harsh crackdown on dissent and media freedom. The European Parliament once advocated for sanctions against Baku due to its human rights abuses, but top EU officials have largely remained mute in their critiques of Aliyev.

When Kaja Kallas, the EU's chief diplomat, visited Baku earlier this year, her positive remarks about potential cooperation were met with widespread outrage by local dissidents, especially as numerous journalists faced detention that same month. Aliyev has alleged these journalists receive illicit foreign funding, rationalizing their arrests by framing it as protecting national interests. He has also shuttered multiple international organization offices in Azerbaijan, including those of the UN and BBC.

Eldar Mamedov, a former Latvian diplomat, articulated the concerns surrounding the EU's approach, claiming it essentially allows Aliyev to operate with impunity. Although the EU acknowledges the shrinking civic space, its spokesperson affirmed efforts to advocate for detained individuals. However, despite Azerbaijan’s small share of the EU’s overall gas imports, certain member states, like Bulgaria and Italy, have become highly dependent on its energy supply due to the Southern Gas Corridor.

This reliance complicates the EU's stance as a united front against Azerbaijan's human rights violations. While analysts recognize Azerbaijan’s importance in diversifying energy resources, they caution that any partnership does not alter the EU's position on human rights.

Aliyev's support for Ukraine’s sovereignty amid escalating tensions with Russia further complicates this dynamic. The Azerbaijani leader has leveraged his geopolitical position to gain favor in the West, despite a lack of sanctions against Russia.

Nonetheless, the EU's silence on Samadov's case, after similar prison sentences meted out to investigative journalists, reflects its struggle to balance ethical obligations against practical energy needs. Friends of Samadov are now expressing deep concern for his well-being following his recent mental health crisis, highlighting the ongoing plight of civil society under an increasingly repressive regime.