Azerbaijan is currently facing deeper humanitarian and social crises following the suppression of widespread protests against the ban on Islamic attire in schools. The protests against this decision, which have also drawn international reactions, have led to the arrest of about 200 protesters and increased concerns about the fate of these individuals.
Repressive Policies and Disappearance of Activists
Some protesters have gone missing due to their activities and expressions of dissent against the hijab ban. For example, Shahrayar Huseynov, the mother of a student, was arrested and sentenced to four months in prison after protesting against her daughter's exclusion from school. Meanwhile, Ilkin Huseynov, a social activist who had launched an online platform to assist students deprived of education due to the hijab, has disappeared after leaving his home.
In addition to these cases, others have faced heavy sentences for expressing opinions on social media or writing slogans in support of the hijab. Gudrat Abdullayev was sentenced to 25 days of administrative detention for posting on TikTok, and Rafael Huseynzadeh was sentenced to 30 days of detention for writing the slogan “Freedom for Hijab!” This situation continues while access to social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok has also faced significant disruptions.
International Concerns and Geopolitical Developments
Amnesty International has responded to these crackdowns, condemning the restrictions imposed on hijab-wearing students and calling for the repeal of these regulations and the release of detained protesters. This human rights organization has deemed the exclusion of girls from classrooms due to wearing the hijab as discriminatory and a violation of human rights.
At the same time, political developments in Azerbaijan indicate a shift in the geopolitical balance in the region. Vusif Huseynov, head of one of the departments at the Azerbaijani State Center for International Relations Analysis, believes that these new regulations are a response to Iran's efforts to spread religious ideology. Additionally, some analysts link this issue to a geopolitical challenge with Turkey.
In this context, Azerbaijan has become a venue for political negotiations between Israel and other countries. This new position has pushed Baku closer to Tel Aviv amid its challenges with Tehran and Ankara. These developments reflect a serious complexity in Azerbaijan's regional policies that could have serious consequences for the future of the country and its neighbors.
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