The European Parliament condemned human rights abuses in Azerbaijan and called for political prisoner releases, while Azerbaijani officials strongly rejected the resolution, accusing the EU of bias, interference, and undermining peace efforts with Armenia. On December 18, the European Parliament adopted a resolution addressing the human rights situation in Azerbaijan. The resolution was adopted with 477 votes in favor, seven against, and 69 abstentions.

The European Parliament stated that Members of the European Parliament condemned the alleged misuse of national security provisions by the Azerbaijani authorities, as well as what they described as the criminalization of freedom of expression, peace advocacy, and public criticism. They called for the immediate and unconditional release of all political prisoners, including Bahruz Samedov, a doctoral student at Charles University, and Igbal Abilov, a researcher of the Talysh ethnic minority and editor-in-chief of the journal News of the Talysh National Academy, the statement emphasized.

MEPs also condemned the sentencing of Gubad Ibadoglu and Fazil Gasimov, describing the rulings as unfair and arbitrary, and condemned "in the strongest terms" the arrest of Ali Karimli, a prominent opposition leader, which took place on December 1, 2025. They emphasized that officials deemed responsible should be subject to measures under the EU’s global human rights sanctions regime and stressed that, as reiterated in previous resolutions, progress in any future partnership agreement should depend on tangible improvements in human rights, the rule of law, and respect for EU values and principles.

On December 19, during a session of the Milli Majlis, Azay Guliyev, a Member of Parliament, stated that human rights were protected in Azerbaijan and that no one was persecuted for political activities. According to Report, Guliyev criticized the European Parliament for what he described as repeated bias against Azerbaijan, stating, "The European Parliament once again targets Azerbaijan," and adding that European institutions defending individuals accused of attempting a coup revealed their true intentions, which he said were "strongly condemned".

Following the adoption of the resolution, the Milli Majlis of Azerbaijan adopted an official statement condemning the document.

The statement emphasized that the parliament "strongly condemns the 18 December 2025 resolution of the European Parliament" and categorically protested what it described as a prejudiced political act based on false information and fabricated claims. The statement further emphasized that the resolution represented an attempt to interfere in judicial processes and to undermine the rule of law, while accusing the European Parliament of political hypocrisy and selective use of human rights rhetoric.

The statement also emphasized that the European Parliament had previously shown indifference to the long-term occupation of Azerbaijani territories and the displacement of nearly one million refugees and internally displaced persons, while later adopting multiple resolutions against Azerbaijan following the restoration of its territorial integrity. It further stated that the European Parliament had been used as an instrument of hybrid pressure against Azerbaijan before and during major international events, including COP29, and emphasized that the adoption process of such resolutions was influenced by specific interest groups.

The Milli Majlis statement further emphasized that the European Parliament’s resolution was part of a broader plan aimed at undermining peace efforts in the South Caucasus, noting that progress in the Azerbaijan–Armenia peace process achieved at the Washington Summit on August 8, 2025, under the mediation of Donald Trump, the President of the United States, did not serve the interests of certain circles. The statement concluded by reiterating Azerbaijan’s firm rejection of the resolution and emphasizing that such documents would not affect the country’s chosen path.