The Climate Observers Partnership condemns the outrageous remarks made by President Aliyev during the COP29 opening
Nov 14
3 min read
The Climate Observers Partnership is deeply concerned about President Ilham Aliyev’s public remarks during the opening ceremony of COP29. In his speech, he accused independent media and civil society of orchestrating a smear campaign to tarnish Azerbaijan’s image and of seeking to boycott COP29. This accusatory rhetoric raises alarm about the future safety and freedom of those advocating for transparency and accountability in Azerbaijan.
During the Leaders’ Summit of the Small Islands Developing States on Climate Change, President Aliyev’s remarks became even more troubling. He directed harsh criticism at prominent Western figures and institutions, including a direct attack on the President of France and a condemnation of Dutch policies. Furthermore, he labeled the European Parliament and the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe as "symbols of political corruption," a statement that exemplifies his administration’s growing hostility towards international democratic bodies.
Azerbaijani human rights defender Emin Huseynov, co-founder of the Climate Observers Partnership, has voiced his apprehension about the potential consequences of these statements. "If the president allows such public aggression towards Western media and international organizations like the Council of Europe and the European Parliament, we are extremely concerned about subsequent repressions against civil society in Azerbaijan," Huseynov warned. His fear reflects the fragility of Azerbaijani civil society, which has long been under severe pressure from the government.
It is particularly striking that President Aliyev would speak of "brutally suppressed voices of the communities" in overseas territories of France and the Netherlands. His focus on alleged injustices abroad starkly contrasts with the dire human rights situation in Azerbaijan, where dissent is systematically silenced, and freedom of expression is heavily curtailed.
"The President accuses others of political hypocrisy and applauds the people of small island states, yet his own citizens are effectively trapped in what can only be described as one big prison," Huseynov continued. "Since March 2020, Azerbaijan's land borders have remained closed under the guise of quarantine restrictions, allowing entry into the country only by air. Meanwhile, hundreds of civil society activists are subject to travel bans imposed by the state. These restrictions are not only a violation of freedom of movement but also a deliberate tactic to instill fear and maintain control over the population."
Moreover, it is becoming increasingly apparent to the international community that COP29 is being leveraged for shadow oil and gas deals rather than genuine climate discussions. This concern is further substantiated by the latest report from Transparency International and an investigation conducted by Global Witness, which have shed light on how key COP29 officials are strategically positioning themselves to derive personal and economic benefits from the conference. The reports reveal that certain officials, closely linked to Azerbaijan’s state oil company SOCAR, have vested interests in securing lucrative agreements and promoting fossil fuel investments under the guise of climate cooperation.
While hosting COP29, Azerbaijan continues to hold more than 319 political prisoners. The Climate Observers Partnership is urging the international community to use this crucial moment to amplify pressure on Azerbaijan to respect these obligations and to push for genuine reforms that protect civil society and fundamental rights.
The momentum created by COP29 provides a unique opportunity to hold the Azerbaijani government accountable and to ensure that global attention remains focused on both the urgent need for climate action and the imperative of upholding human rights.
As of today, our campaign has garnered the support of over 80 organizations and more than 200 individuals from around the world.
This collective voice sends a powerful message: climate justice cannot be separated from respect for human rights.
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