04 November
Azerbaijan faces scrutiny over repression while preparing for COP29 summit
As Azerbaijan readies to host a global climate summit in Baku this month, its government faces criticism for jailing activists and journalists, sparking global human rights concerns.
Anton Troianovski reports for The New York Times.
In short:
- Azerbaijan’s government has jailed dozens of activists, including journalists and human rights advocates, as it prepares to host COP29, a high-profile U.N. climate conference.
- President Ilham Aliyev’s administration cites legal reasons for the detentions, though international watchdogs claim the arrests are politically motivated attempts to silence criticism.
- The West's muted response may be influenced by Azerbaijan's strategic role in energy and its partnerships, including supplying natural gas to Europe.
Key quote:
“We haven’t seen repression like this in the country in a long time.”
— Stefan Meister, researcher at the German Council on Foreign Relations
Why this matters:
Azerbaijan’s dual role as an energy supplier and climate summit host highlights the complex interplay between environmental goals and geopolitical power. With significant leverage as a gas supplier, Azerbaijan faces minimal repercussions, illustrating the challenges of addressing human rights in energy-rich autocracies.
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