They went out for a night of music, safety, and belonging. Instead, more than 100 people ended the night standing in the cold, surrounded by police, terrified of what would happen next.

On 27 December in Baku, police raided a queer-friendly nightclub and detained everyone inside. What followed was not about public safety. It was fear, humiliation, and abuse.

Authorities reportedly justified the raid with accusations of drug use, yet no evidence was found. Despite this, everyone detained was fined for a minor administrative offence and held for hours under degrading conditions.

Testimonies collected by human rights groups describe people forced to stand for long periods under military-style commands. They were denied food, water, rest, and access to toilets. Requests were met with insults and intimidation. Some were kept outdoors in freezing temperatures while wearing only light clothing.

“I still see their faces when I close my eyes,” one survivor said. “It feels like a nightmare I cannot wake up from.” Another recalled begging to use the toilet: “They laughed and said no. Standing there in the cold, my clothes froze on my body.”

Police reportedly overcrowded vehicles, confiscated phones, and demanded pin codes. Officers searched private messages and images, and in some cases transferred intimate photos to their own devices. Detainees were subjected to degrading questions about their identities and private lives, sometimes while being filmed without consent.

One person reportedly suffered a seizure while in custody, yet requests for medical help were dismissed and mocked. Another detainee who objected to humiliating treatment was allegedly beaten. Parents who came to the police station searching for their children were also mocked and shouted at.

No one was detained for harming anyone. People were punished simply for who they are, for gathering together, and for being visible as LGBT+ people.

Although homosexuality is not illegal in Azerbaijan, LGBT+ people continue to live in fear of police abuse. Many survivors say they are too afraid to file complaints or seek justice because they fear retaliation. When fear silences people, abuse continues unchecked.

What happened in Baku is a violation of basic human dignity. No one should be arbitrarily detained, humiliated, surveilled, or subjected to degrading treatment by authorities. These are not special protections. They are the minimum rights every person deserves.

The responsibility lies with the state. Police power exists to protect people, not to terrorize communities. An urgent, independent investigation is needed. Those responsible must be held accountable, and clear guarantees must be given that survivors and those who support them will not face retaliation.

Human dignity cannot be optional.