In brief
Azerbaijan is gearing up to host the 29th United Nations Climate Change Conference, or COP29, in Baku this November, but its preparation is overshadowed by alarming human rights abuses. Despite expectations of opening up politically, President Ilham Aliyev's government has relentlessly pursued a crackdown on activists and journalists, locking up numerous dissenters in what some are calling the most severe repression in years.
While the nation's infrastructure undergoes extensive renovation for the summit, including volunteer training and stadium upgrades for delegates, the government has simultaneously targeted independent expressions of civil society. According to human rights organizations, at least 12 journalists from prominent media outlets have been detained as a direct response to their critical coverage. Notably, Anar Mammadli, a civil rights activist who co-founded a Climate Justice Initiative aimed at improving government transparency on emissions, was arrested within weeks of forming the group. Experts warn that these actions signify an effort to suppress any criticism that might arise during the COP summit, marking a troubling period for both the citizens and the international observers concerned about Azerbaijan's human rights landscape in the run-up to this high-profile event.
