"I WILL NOT END MY HUNGER STRIKE UNTIL MY LAST COLLEAGUE IS FREED." — Nurlan Libre

On February 21, 2026, independent journalist Nurlan Libre (Gahramanli) marks his 37th day on a hunger strike inside an Azerbaijani prison. His physical condition is critical; he is facing potential organ failure, yet his resolve remains unbreakable. He is risking his life to protest his unjust imprisonment and the fabricated criminal charges brought against him. 

Nurlan is a victim of the "Meydan TV case," a politically motivated legal proceeding designed to dismantle independent media in Azerbaijan. The court proceedings have been a farce. Nurlan and his defense have been systematically barred from presenting crucial motions. The judges have ignored basic legal rights, turning the courtroom into a tool of repression rather than justice. Facing this lawlessness, Nurlan resorted to the only weapon he has left. His hunger strike is a cry for justice against a regime determined to silence all independent voices.

Nurlan Libre is not just fighting for his own life. He has issued a desperate vow to the world: He will refuse food until the last imprisoned journalist in Azerbaijan is released. Today, there are almost 400 political prisoners in Azerbaijan. This staggering number includes journalists, human rights defenders, and activists who have been silenced for daring to speak the truth. Nurlan is sacrificing his body to draw the world's attention to this mass injustice.

Journalism is not a crime! Nurlan Libre is being punished solely for his work and his refusal to be silenced. The international community cannot stand by while a journalist is slowly killed in custody for speaking the truth.

We demand that the Azerbaijani authorities cease the politically motivated prosecution of journalist Nurlan Libre and release him immediately and without any preconditions. His imprisonment is a direct violation of freedom of speech and international human rights law.

We call for the immediate release of Nurlan Libre along with all other political prisoners currently held in Azerbaijani detention centers. We demand an end to the systematic crackdown on journalists, activists, and human rights defenders in the country.

We demand that Nurlan Libre be provided with immediate, independent medical care outside of the prison system to save his life. The Azerbaijani government is responsible for his health and safety, and his death in custody would be a tragedy born of negligence.

We call on the United Nations, the Council of Europe, and the European Union to exert maximum pressure on the Azerbaijani government. We demand that they hold officials accountable for systematic violations of human rights and the dismantling of media freedom.

Nurlan is starving for the freedom of all. Please, sign to save his life and demand justice for all political prisoners in Azerbaijan.

#FreeNurlanLibre #JournalismIsNotACrime #FreeThe400 #HumanRightsAzerbaijan