In Azerbaijan, the signing of pardon decrees on the eve of May 28 - Independence Day is already discussed as a well-established tradition. In this regard, by a decree signed by President Ilham Aliyev on May 28, 2018, on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic, approximately 634 prisoners were pardoned, and with the next decree issued on May 26, 2025, more than 200 people benefited from this step.
This May, the signing of a pardon decree is also one of the main topics of discussion. Regarding the issue, Zahid Oruj, Chairman of the Human Rights Committee of the Milli Majlis, gave a statement to Modern.az.
The deputy stated that since the preparation of pardon decrees is a long-term process, it does not seem realistic to make such a decision in May. According to him, this process usually begins at least two months in advance and requires time to review thousands of applications; it is also carried out with the participation of various state bodies.
Z. Oruj noted that in December 2025, a broad amnesty act dedicated to the "Year of Constitution and Sovereignty" was adopted, which covered tens of thousands of prisoners, and at the same time, a pardon decree was also signed in May of that year.
The committee chairman emphasized that it is important to properly manage public expectations, because creating unfounded hopes can lead to people's disappointment. He added that discussions related to pardon or amnesty might be held toward the end of the year, but it is difficult to express a definite opinion about this in advance. The deputy recalled that the issue of pardon is a constitutional matter directly related to the authority of President Ilham Aliyev, and the final decision is made by the head of state.