Human Rights Watch (HRW), alongside 16 other organizations, has called upon the European Union to address ongoing human rights violations in Azerbaijan during the upcoming COP29 climate conference. This appeal highlights an alleged increase in politically motivated arrests and restrictions on free speech within the country.
The joint statement, released in anticipation of the climate conference scheduled this month, asks EU representatives to press for the release of political prisoners and to ensure that human rights remain integral to EU-Azerbaijan relations. The international focus on Azerbaijan, as the host of COP29, presents an opportunity for EU officials to demand reforms. According to the recommendations, officials should address the imprisonment of individuals on politically motivated charges directly with Azerbaijani authorities and publicly support independent media and civil society.
The statement draws attention to several high-profile cases, including the detention of Gubad Ibadoghlu, an anti-corruption activist and London School of Economics scholar. He has been under house arrest since last year under heavy police surveillance, facing potential severe penalties if convicted. Another key figure mentioned is Anar Mammadli, a human rights advocate arrested in April 2024 for criticizing the nation’s electoral practices. Many other political prisoners and activists are also cited in the statement.
Concerns are mounting that without substantial international intervention, Azerbaijan’s stance on dissent and civil liberties may further deteriorate. Critics argue that the EU’s strategic energy relationship with Azerbaijan results in overlooking human rights violations, as the country remains a significant fossil fuel supplier. This ties into perceptions that economic and political interests are prioritized over human rights concerns, leading the EU to be accused of turning a blind eye.
Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev has dismissed these concerns, labeling them as a smear campaign. At a pre-COP meeting, he emphasized Azerbaijan’s commitment to countering climate change, suggesting criticisms aim to tarnish the country’s image. President Aliyev’s statement can be viewed here.
Notably, EU leaders are not the sole recipients of international pressure. Nearly 60 U.S. lawmakers have signed an open letter urging Secretary of State Antony Blinken to advocate for the release of all political prisoners during COP29. The correspondence, seeking intervention, included signatories from Amnesty International and the European Centre for Press and Media Freedom among others.
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