US Lawmakers Urge Action on Azerbaijan's Human Rights Ahead of COP29

In a significant development, almost 60 US lawmakers have appealed to Secretary of State Antony Blinken to address human rights concerns in Azerbaijan before the upcoming COP29 climate summit. The event is scheduled to take place in Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, in November 2024.

The group, comprising 10 senators and 48 representatives, is urging Blinken to pressure Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev to implement concrete measures for the release of political prisoners and to refrain from making provocative statements against Armenia. These actions, they argue, are crucial for maintaining a conducive environment for peace negotiations, especially in light of Azerbaijan's recent control over the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region.

Azerbaijan, a country of approximately 10 million people located in the South Caucasus region, gained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. Since then, it has faced international scrutiny regarding its human rights record. The nation's economy heavily relies on oil and gas exports, with the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline serving as a major conduit for oil transportation to Turkey.

The lawmakers' letter emphasizes the importance of releasing all political prisoners, hostages, and prisoners of war, including ethnic Armenians, to facilitate successful diplomacy during COP29. This call for action comes in the wake of Azerbaijan's announcement at COP28 in Dubai that it would host the next round of UN climate negotiations.

The decision to hold COP29 in Baku has drawn criticism from human rights groups and families of government critics imprisoned in Azerbaijan. Adding to these concerns, earlier this year, allegations surfaced regarding the torture of a former top official from the ethnic Armenian administration of Nagorno-Karabakh while in Azerbaijani custody.

The Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, which dates back to the late 1980s, has been a source of tension between Azerbaijan and Armenia. Despite this, Azerbaijan has participated in international peacekeeping operations in Kosovo, Afghanistan, and Iraq, demonstrating its involvement in global affairs.

As the host of COP29, Azerbaijan will be in the international spotlight. The country, known for its rich cultural heritage including carpet weaving and the Gobustan Rock Art Cultural Landscape (a UNESCO World Heritage site), has been working to diversify its economy and boost its tourism industry.

"We urge the State Department to press for the immediate and unconditional release of all political prisoners, hostages, and POWs, including ethnic Armenians, to enable a more conducive environment for successful diplomacy at COP29."

This situation highlights the complex interplay between international climate diplomacy and human rights concerns. As Azerbaijan prepares to host a major global event, it faces increased scrutiny of its domestic policies and regional relationships. The outcome of this diplomatic pressure could have significant implications for both the success of COP29 and the broader human rights landscape in the region.