A bipartisan group of U.S. lawmakers is urging the Biden administration to secure the release of Dr. Gubad Ibadoghlu, a prominent academic and anti-corruption advocate, who is currently under house arrest in Azerbaijan. The ongoing case has drawn international attention, particularly as the country hosts the annual UN Climate Summit, COP29.

Bipartisan Support for Justice

Thirty-three senior members of the U.S. Congress recently sent a letter to Secretary of State Antony Blinken and senior climate adviser John Podesta. The lawmakers emphasized the need for direct engagement with the Azerbaijani government to ensure Dr. Ibadoghlu’s release on humanitarian grounds. They stressed that allowing him to relocate outside Azerbaijan would uphold human rights principles and align with the international image Azerbaijan seeks to project during COP29.

The letter highlighted Dr. Ibadoghlu’s distinguished career as an academic and his advocacy for budget transparency and anti-corruption reforms. He has held positions at prestigious institutions such as the London School of Economics and various U.S. universities. Despite his efforts to improve governance in Azerbaijan, his non-governmental organization, the Economic Research Center, was shut down by authorities in 2014. After living in exile for several years, he returned to Azerbaijan in July 2023 to visit his family, only to face arrest shortly thereafter.

Politically Motivated Charges

Azerbaijani authorities charged Dr. Ibadoghlu with counterfeiting currency and possessing extremist religious materials. However, his supporters and several international organizations have condemned these accusations as baseless and politically motivated. The lawmakers further noted that Dr. Ibadoghlu’s health has deteriorated while in detention due to inadequate medical care. Currently, his trial is on hold, but he faces up to 17 years of imprisonment if found guilty under these charges.

The U.S. lawmakers called for all restrictions on Dr. Ibadoghlu’s movement to be lifted and for the charges against him to be dropped. Additionally, they proposed that he be resettled in a country like Sweden, Germany, or the United Kingdom, where he could access medical treatment and reunite with his family. “This would be a positive step consistent with Azerbaijan’s international human rights obligations,” the letter stated.

Relief Tied to COP29

The timing of the case coincides with COP29, being held from November 11-22 in Baku. This major global event focuses on international efforts to combat climate change, drawing representatives from civil society and governments worldwide. The lawmakers see the conference as a critical moment to leverage international attention for securing Dr. Ibadoghlu’s release.

While President Biden and Secretary Blinken will not attend COP29, a high-profile U.S. delegation led by senior adviser John Podesta and other top government officials, including Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm and Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, will be present. The lawmakers have urged these officials to prioritize Dr. Ibadoghlu’s case during bilateral discussions with Azerbaijani representatives.

Human Rights in the Spotlight

Dr. Ibadoghlu’s case highlights broader concerns about political repression in Azerbaijan. His arrest is not an isolated incident but part of a pattern that human rights organizations have long criticized. With COP29 bringing unprecedented global attention to the country, U.S. lawmakers hope to push for concrete actions that reflect Azerbaijan’s responsibility to uphold human rights.

This unfolding story demonstrates the persistent issues involved in balancing international diplomacy with human rights advocacy. Whether Dr. Ibadoghlu will gain his freedom remains uncertain, but what is clear is that bipartisan voices in the U.S. are determined to keep his plight in the public eye.