Original Source: www.indexoncensorship.org
At COP29 in Baku, a protester was quickly subdued by a man in black, presumably a state security officer, while voicing concerns about the poor working conditions for service workers. This incident reflects the tense atmosphere at a conference hosted by a country known for its oppressive regime. Amid the event’s backdrop, activists often hesitated to speak out against the Azerbaijani government, fearing for their safety and the repercussions it could have on their colleagues.
The atmosphere at COP29 was fraught with unease, especially after reports of activists being arrested on trumped-up charges. Gubad Ibadoghlu, an economist, and Anar Mammadli, a prominent climate activist, faced dire circumstances after their arrests, drawing international condemnation for human rights violations in Azerbaijan. The chilling effect was palpable, as civil society groups were instructed to avoid discussing the country or its president.
Activists at the conference took precautions, avoiding sensitive topics and even photographing those they suspected of surveilling them. Many were discouraged from addressing the host country’s significant failings on human rights, instead directing their criticism towards Global North nations, reflecting a troubling sense of self-censorship. Fear permeated discussions, leading many to keep Azerbaijan’s poor governance off their lips entirely, even during satirical protests that mocked inaction on climate change.
In the shadows, Azerbaijani activist Javid Gara, now living in the UK, shared his frustrations about the growing climate of suspicion in his homeland. His organization faces a lack of resources, stripping them of the means to effectively fight climate issues. Tensions have heightened for activists since Azerbaijan began hosting international events like COP29, leading to swift crackdowns on dissent.
The repressive laws imposed by President Aliyev have severely crippled the NGO sector. Organizations face crippling restrictions on funding, compelling them to divert focus away from political and human rights matters toward less contentious issues. Many activists have fled, leaving behind a fragmented civil society and a persistent atmosphere of fear and oppression.
One prominent activist, Emin Huseynov, sought asylum after fleeing Azerbaijan, where he faced persecution for advocating human rights. His efforts to expose the regime’s ruthlessness continue from afar, highlighting the regime’s attempts to sanitize its image through high-profile events. Huseynov’s website dedicated to COP29 and the regime’s abuses is blocked within Azerbaijan—a testament to the lengths the government will go to silence dissent.
Despite significant risks, activists like Gara remain resolute in their pursuit of environmental justice for Azerbaijan’s natural beauty. Yet, they face tremendous challenges due to surveillance and oppression, often working voluntarily without significant resources. Today, Azerbaijan languishes as a grim example of a country hosting critical climate discussions while maintaining a dire human rights record.
As the world tunes into well-orchestrated events like Eurovision or COP29, Aliyev’s regime works tirelessly to veil its abuses with spectacle. The urgent need for accountability demands that international observers engage critically with the country’s human rights violations, ensuring that the allure of such grand gatherings does not overshadow the grave realities faced by those fighting for justice in the shadows.
COP29, the United Nations’ flagship climate conference, was hosted in Azerbaijan, a country with a notorious reputation for human rights violations. The conference saw activists facing serious threats, censorship, and intimidation merely for raising issues related to labor and environmental rights. The government’s oppressive tactics fostered an atmosphere of fear, leading to self-censorship among attendees and silencing critiques of the regime during crucial climate discussions.
The events at COP29 underscore the profound contradiction of hosting an international climate conference in a country with such blatant human rights abuses. The atmosphere of fear among activists stifled necessary dialogues, while the oppressive regime leveraged the event to deflect attention from its violations. For meaningful progress on climate action, a severe reassessment of which nations can responsibly host such global events is crucial, ensuring accountability and transparency are not lost amid political maneuvering.
