Azerbaijan has faced renewed criticism from human rights groups just days before it is set to host the COP29 climate change conference.
The summit, set to take place between November 11 and 22 in Azerbaijan’s capital, Baku, could be attended by around 40,000 to 50,000 delegates.
But ahead of the summit, some 17 international human rights organizations, including Amnesty International, have attacked the country, which has an economy reliant on fossil fuel exports, over its human rights record.
In a report published earlier this week, Amnesty International wrote: “Azerbaijan has an alarming human rights record, with longstanding restrictions on the rights to freedom of expression, association and assembly.”
It added: “Threats and harassment have forced many local activists to leave the country, while others are arbitrarily detained on politically motivated charges. The few remaining independent voices risk prosecution and retaliation if they dare to voice any criticism during COP29.”
But ahead of the summit, some 17 international human rights organizations, including Amnesty International, have attacked the country, which has an economy reliant on fossil fuel exports, over its human rights record.
In a report published earlier this week, Amnesty International wrote: “Azerbaijan has an alarming human rights record, with longstanding restrictions on the rights to freedom of expression, association and assembly.”
It added: “Threats and harassment have forced many local activists to leave the country, while others are arbitrarily detained on politically motivated charges. The few remaining independent voices risk prosecution and retaliation if they dare to voice any criticism during COP29.”
The crackdown could relate to the fact that oil and gas make up more than 90% of Azerbaijan’s exports. The strength of the country’s energy industry has also prompted allegations that Baku may use COP29 as a platform for the fossil fuel sector to cut more oil-and-gas deals.
Amnesty International said that previous COP conferences had been used by energy companies “to advance their own interests, opposing essential efforts to phase out fossil fuels.”
Many participants at COP29, it added, have agendas that “are seriously at odds with climate justice.”
On Friday, the BBC wrote that Elnur Soltanov, the chief executive of Azerbaijan's COP29 team, had been recorded discussing "investment opportunities" in the state oil and gas company with a man posing as a potential investor.
Amnesty International said that previous COP conferences had been used by energy companies “to advance their own interests, opposing essential efforts to phase out fossil fuels.”
Many participants at COP29, it added, have agendas that “are seriously at odds with climate justice.”
On Friday, the BBC wrote that Elnur Soltanov, the chief executive of Azerbaijan's COP29 team, had been recorded discussing "investment opportunities" in the state oil and gas company with a man posing as a potential investor.
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