President Ilham Aliyev's amnesty initiative within the framework of the "Year of Constitution and Sovereignty": unity of statehood, humanism and legal policy
The formation and institutional strengthening of the independent Azerbaijani state are directly related to the political foresight, resolute will and savior mission of the National Leader Heydar Aliyev. The Constitution of the Republic of Azerbaijan, adopted under his leadership, determined the legal and political foundations of our modern statehood and created a fundamental basis for the construction of a legal state and civil society. The state governance policy formed on these constitutional foundations is currently being consistently and systematically developed by President Ilham Aliyev. Ilham Aliyev's political thinking was formed on strategic rationalism, political pragmatism and realism based on national and spiritual values. From this point of view, his policy is characterized as a systematic approach based on deep analytical analysis, not situational decisions. For the head of state, the concept of sovereignty is not limited only to territorial integrity; this concept has a multidimensional meaning such as political independence, legal completeness, economic self-sufficiency and ideological independence. Strengthening state sovereignty, ensuring the rule of law and maintaining continuity in governance and the principle of humanism are the main directions of the political course of the head of state and one of the leading ideological pillars of the state policy he implements. This approach has also found its clear expression in criminal and legal policy. Penal policy in the Republic of Azerbaijan is not only aimed at punishment, but also performs the functions of reformation and reintegration into society. The full restoration of the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the Republic of Azerbaijan as a result of the 44-day Patriotic War and the 23-hour anti-terrorist operation, as well as ensuring the supreme legal force of the Constitution in all territories of the country, is assessed as an important political and legal stage in the modern history of our people. It is against the background of these historical realities that President Ilham Aliyev has once again consistently and fundamentally demonstrated his commitment to the traditions of humanism and mercy. Based on the educational and social importance of release from punishment, as well as the fact that amnesty is a legal mechanism that contributes to the healing of society, President Ilham Aliyev initiated the declaration of an amnesty on December 15, 2025, on the occasion of the “Year of the Constitution and Sovereignty”. This initiative also expresses confidence that the persons to be released will respect the law in the future and actively participate in the development of the state. According to the draft amnesty act, the document has a wide social and legal scope. Thus, persons who participated in combat operations conducted to protect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Azerbaijan, including the Patriotic War and the anti-terrorist operations carried out on September 19-20, 2023, will be able to benefit from the amnesty.
At the same time, close relatives of those killed or missing during those operations, persons who became disabled among the civilian population as a result of the military provocations of the Republic of Armenia, women, persons who have reached the age of 60, and minors at the time of committing a crime are also included in the scope of the amnesty. In addition, it is envisaged to release from prison or reduce the unserved part of their sentences for less serious crimes and crimes committed through negligence that do not pose a great public danger. This amnesty act, initiated by President Ilham Aliyev, is considered the largest amnesty in the history of independent Azerbaijan in terms of the number of persons to be applied. According to statistical data, the document will apply to more than 20 thousand people in total. Thus, it is expected that more than 5 thousand prisoners will be fully released from imprisonment, more than 3 thousand people will have their sentences reduced, more than 7 thousand prisoners will be released from restriction of freedom, about 4 thousand people will be released from other non-custodial sentences or conditional sentences, and more than a thousand people will be released from criminal liability. Looking at the dynamics of the development of the amnesty and pardon institution in Azerbaijan, it is clear that legal and humane measures in this area respond to both historical traditions and the challenges of modern statehood. The 12 amnesty acts adopted since 1995 have applied to a total of more than 130 thousand people, which indicates the sustainable nature of the humane legal policy in our country.
During the leadership of the National Leader Heydar Aliyev (1995–2003), 32 pardon decrees were signed and 7 amnesty acts were applied during that period. This period is considered an important stage in terms of protecting legal justice with a humanistic approach and stabilizing state-citizen relations. The amnesty acts adopted in 2007, 2009, 2013 and 2016 at the initiative of First Vice-President Mehriban Aliyeva, during her time as a deputy of the Milli Majlis, played an important role in the formation of the humane legal policy of the state. The amnesty act announced on the occasion of November 8 - Victory Day in 2021 at the initiative of President Ilham Aliyev covered more than 17 thousand people and had both legal and socially significant consequences. In total, 10,162 prisoners were pardoned as a result of 71 pardon decrees and orders, 7,060 of whom were released on the basis of documents signed by President Ilham Aliyev.
At the same time, close relatives of those killed or missing during those operations, persons who became disabled among the civilian population as a result of the military provocations of the Republic of Armenia, women, persons who have reached the age of 60, and minors at the time of committing a crime are also included in the scope of the amnesty. In addition, it is envisaged to release from prison or reduce the unserved part of their sentences for less serious crimes and crimes committed through negligence that do not pose a great public danger. This amnesty act, initiated by President Ilham Aliyev, is considered the largest amnesty in the history of independent Azerbaijan in terms of the number of persons to be applied. According to statistical data, the document will apply to more than 20 thousand people in total. Thus, it is expected that more than 5 thousand prisoners will be fully released from imprisonment, more than 3 thousand people will have their sentences reduced, more than 7 thousand prisoners will be released from restriction of freedom, about 4 thousand people will be released from other non-custodial sentences or conditional sentences, and more than a thousand people will be released from criminal liability. Looking at the dynamics of the development of the amnesty and pardon institution in Azerbaijan, it is clear that legal and humane measures in this area respond to both historical traditions and the challenges of modern statehood. The 12 amnesty acts adopted since 1995 have applied to a total of more than 130 thousand people, which indicates the sustainable nature of the humane legal policy in our country.
During the leadership of the National Leader Heydar Aliyev (1995–2003), 32 pardon decrees were signed and 7 amnesty acts were applied during that period. This period is considered an important stage in terms of protecting legal justice with a humanistic approach and stabilizing state-citizen relations. The amnesty acts adopted in 2007, 2009, 2013 and 2016 at the initiative of First Vice-President Mehriban Aliyeva, during her time as a deputy of the Milli Majlis, played an important role in the formation of the humane legal policy of the state. The amnesty act announced on the occasion of November 8 - Victory Day in 2021 at the initiative of President Ilham Aliyev covered more than 17 thousand people and had both legal and socially significant consequences. In total, 10,162 prisoners were pardoned as a result of 71 pardon decrees and orders, 7,060 of whom were released on the basis of documents signed by President Ilham Aliyev.
