As the UN Climate Change Conference (COP29) approaches in Baku, significant concerns are being raised about the human rights situation in Azerbaijan. Members of the European Parliament are debating the persecution of opposition figures, journalists, and human rights activists in the country, with a particular focus on the actions of President Ilham Aliyev, whose regime is reportedly sustained by revenues from fossil fuel sales.

A prominent figure in this debate is Dr. Gubad Ibadoghlu, an economist and a leading critic of Azerbaijan’s state oil and gas industry. The Greens/EFA group has nominated Dr. Ibadoghlu for the prestigious Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought. Despite being shortlisted, Dr. Ibadoghlu remains under house arrest following a prison sentence, highlighting the oppressive environment faced by dissidents in Azerbaijan.

Sergey Lagodinsky, a Greens/EFA member and shadow rapporteur for the Azerbaijan resolution, commented on the dire situation. He emphasized that President Aliyev’s system thrives on suppressing dissent through oil and gas revenues. Lagodinsky called for international attention to focus on the silencing of opposition and civil society ahead of the climate conference.

Markéta Gregorová, also a Greens/EFA MEP, who nominated Dr. Ibadoghlu for the Sakharov Prize, urged for the release of all political prisoners. She stressed the necessity for the EU delegation at COP29 to unequivocally condemn Azerbaijan’s human rights violations. Gregorová highlighted the importance of supporting Azerbaijani opposition figures who resist the regime’s oppressive tactics.

The upcoming plenary debate on the situation in Azerbaijan will address human rights violations and international law issues, alongside Azerbaijan’s relations with Armenia. This debate is crucial as the international community anticipates the COP29, set to take place from November 11 to 22, where these issues are expected to be at the forefront.

As the world prepares for COP29, the focus on Azerbaijan’s human rights record serves as a stark reminder of the broader political challenges intertwined with global climate discussions. The call for freedom and justice for political prisoners like Dr. Gubad Ibadoghlu highlights the ongoing struggles for human rights in regions overshadowed by political and economic interests.