**Azerbaijan Under Scrutiny: COP29 Hosts Target Climate Activists**

Allegations against Azerbaijan, the host of COP29, highlight increased repression of climate activists, prompting calls for a reassessment of how nations are selected to lead climate summits.

Azerbaijan is facing serious accusations from human rights groups regarding the detention of climate activists and political dissenters amid the ongoing COP29 climate summit. Gubad Ibadoglu, a professor at the London School of Economics, has been under house arrest for nearly 18 months on questionable fraud charges. The increase in arrests targeted at activists since Azerbaijan's selection as COP29 host has raised alarms, with Amnesty International noting a troubling upsurge in political prisoners, now totaling over 300.

The Climate Action Network, which encompasses almost 2,000 environmental organizations, emphasizes that protecting civil societies is essential for climate progress. Human rights organizations argue that hosting a climate summit should not entail an environment of oppression, but rather one that encourages open dialogue and participation. Critics highlight a concerning trend where recent host nations, including the UAE and Egypt, have similarly faced backlash for their treatment of civil society.

Several activists, including Anar Mammadli and Nazim Beydemirli, have been imprisoned after opposing the government's environmental policies or protesting against mining operations. These actions serve as both a warning and a mechanism to stifle dissent, prompting voices like Emin Huseynov to challenge the eligibility of nations with known human rights abuses to host such pivotal events. With Azerbaijan looking to expand its fossil fuel operations, many argue that the COP29 is being used as a façade to bolster the government’s image rather than genuinely addressing climate change.

The United Nations has set guidelines that should ensure the inclusion of diverse voices at COP summits, but recent events have brought into question the effectiveness of these measures. Calls for clearer regulations about host country behavior have gained momentum, especially concerning protections for activists at the event. While the UN has included some measures aimed at protecting human rights in this year's Host Country Agreement, concerns remain regarding the enforcement and applicability of these provisions.

Tasneem Essop from the Climate Action Network has voiced the need for international dialogue and advocacy to assert civil society's role in climate change negotiations. As world leaders convene in Azerbaijan, the pressure mounts to address and remedy the repression of voices that are crucial for championing effective climate action.

The unfolding tension between climate concerns and human rights violations remains a critical discussion point not only for COP29 but for future climate summits as well, urging a comprehensive reassessment of the obligations and responsibilities that come with hosting such influential global events.