Azerbaijan, the host of COP29, is under fire from human rights organizations for allegedly suppressing environmental activists and political dissenters. Advocacy groups claim the government is leveraging the climate summit to crack down on opposition, raising concerns about the suitability of authoritarian regimes hosting such international events.
Allegations of Repression
The Climate Action Network (CAN), representing nearly 2,000 environmental organizations, has stressed the importance of protecting civil society to ensure meaningful progress on climate issues. Amnesty International’s Natalia Nozadze pointed out an increase in arrests and restrictions on dissent since Azerbaijan was selected to host COP29 in November 2023.
The Union for Freedom of Political Prisoners in Azerbaijan has reported over 300 political detainees, a number not seen since the early 2000s. The detainees include journalists, activists, and opposition figures, many targeted for their environmental advocacy.
Prominent Cases Highlight Government Crackdowns
One high-profile case is that of Gubad Ibadoglu, a London School of Economics professor researching Azerbaijan’s oil and gas sectors. Arrested on fraud charges in mid-2023, Ibadoglu has been under house arrest for over a year. Human Rights Watch has described the charges as “dubious.” His daughter has appealed to UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer for intervention, citing concerns for her father’s deteriorating health.
Similarly, Anar Mammadli, a climate activist, was detained on smuggling charges shortly after co-founding a group advocating for Azerbaijan’s alignment with the Paris Agreement. Critics allege his arrest was politically motivated, given his calls for reducing the country’s reliance on fossil fuels.
Another case involves Nazim Beydemirli, a 61-year-old activist sentenced to eight years in prison for alleged extortion. Beydemirli’s arrest followed his protests against gold mining operations near his village, and his lawyer has decried the charges as baseless.
Fossil Fuels and Greenwashing Accusations
Despite global commitments to transition away from fossil fuels, Azerbaijan plans to expand natural gas production over the next decade. At COP29, President Ilham Aliyev referred to oil and gas as a “gift of God,” sparking criticism from environmentalists. Activists argue this strategy undermines global climate goals and contradicts the summit’s objectives.
Emin Huseynov, an Azerbaijani journalist and environmental advocate, accused President Aliyev of using COP29 to improve his international image while repressing dissent at home. He called for stricter criteria to determine host countries, stating that nations with poor human rights records should not be allowed to host such summits.
Broader Context of Host Country Controversies
This marks the third consecutive year that a COP summit host has faced allegations of human rights abuses. Previous hosts Egypt and the United Arab Emirates were similarly criticized for suppressing civil society and dissent.
The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) has defended the inclusion of all nations in COP discussions, citing the need for global collaboration. However, rights groups have urged the UN to adopt stricter guidelines for selecting host countries, including clauses to prevent surveillance and harassment of activists.
Calls for Reform
Andreas Sieber of 350.org suggested adding provisions to host agreements to protect civil liberties, such as banning spyware use against attendees. While the 2024 Host Country Agreement includes human rights protections for the first time, activists like Tasneem Essop, executive director of CAN, argue that enforcement remains weak.
Essop emphasized the vital role civil society plays in driving climate action, citing their efforts to establish the “loss and damage fund,” a financial mechanism to assist vulnerable countries in addressing climate impacts. “Our presence holds governments accountable,” she said, warning that shrinking civic space globally undermines these efforts.
International Response
The European Parliament has condemned Azerbaijan’s repression of activists, deeming it incompatible with hosting COP29. However, critics like Huseynov believe the international community has largely “given up” on addressing these issues, noting the lack of strong public statements from countries like the UK.
Although Starmer met with President Aliyev during COP29, his office declined to confirm whether human rights issues were discussed. The UK Foreign Office maintains that such concerns are “regularly raised” in diplomatic talks.
Conclusion
The allegations against Azerbaijan underscore the tension between hosting global climate summits and maintaining democratic values. Critics argue that without civil society’s participation, meaningful progress on climate goals becomes increasingly difficult.
As the world grapples with the dual challenges of climate change and shrinking civic space, COP29 serves as a stark reminder of the need for greater accountability and inclusivity in global governance. The question remains: can the international community balance environmental action with human rights advocacy?
