EU Confronts Azerbaijan on Human Rights and Energy Ties Ahead of COP29

Brussels, October 22, 2024 – During a plenary session, members of the European Parliament discussed human rights violations in Azerbaijan and the EU's energy dependence on Azerbaijani gas. In this regard, the Parliament called on the EU to end this dependence through a resolution, which was adopted with 453 votes in favor, 31 against and 89 abstentions.

As COP29, to be held in the capital Baku from 11 to 22 November, approaches, the need for a credible climate dialogue increasingly implies the urgency of protecting and promoting human rights and fundamental freedoms. In its resolution the European Parliament therefore also urged the Aliyev regime to release all political prisoners and cease repression both within the country and beyond its borders. During the session, MEPs had the opportunity to speak and argue in favor of the resolution.

“My father is suffering. He is in pain; his heart aneurysm is getting worse. If his arteries rupture, he will die, and I will lose my father forever. He is being held hostage by the Azerbaijani government for investigating the corrupt oil and gas sector before the COP. I’m begging the world to save my father”. Green/EFA MEP Lena Schilling began by reading the words of Zhala, the daughter of the economist Gubad Ibadoghlu, who was arrested after raising the issue of corruption in the country. Schillig went on to highlight the number of political prisoners in the country, more than 300, and how the government is currently using greenwashing measures to hide the violent crackdown on civil society. She concluded by calling for the release of all political prisoners, and for Dr. Gubad Ibadoghlu to receive proper medical care.  

Costas Mavrides MEP, from the S&D group, emphasized Azerbaijan’s alarming record on human rights and fundamental freedoms. While welcoming the Commission’s words, the MEP denounced Commission President’s statement describing Azerbaijan as a “trust-worthy energy supplier”. He then went on to criticize Aliyev’s regime for violating the International Court of Justice’s order to respect the religious and historical heritage. Another voice critical of the energy partnership with Azerbaijan was that of Bert-Jan Ruissen, of ECR. He illustrated how, after speaking with Armenian from Nagorno Karabakh in the Lachin Corridor last year, he received a harsh response from the Azerbaijani ambassador. The ambassador posted a picture of a gun on the popular internet platform X, along with a threatening message directed to Ruissen that he was a persona non grata in the country. However, as the MP reiterated, these messages pale in comparison to the threats to the religious and historical integrity that people from Nagorno Karabakh face daily. The deputy mentioned that, as the case of Dr Gubad Ibadoghlu shows, Azerbaijani civil society groups are also under government’s scrutiny. As a result, Ruissen declared it was incomprehensible that the Council and the Commission continue to consider Azerbaijan as a trustworthy and reliable partner. He therefore urged the Commission to start imposing sanctions on people who violate human rights and threaten Armenian sovereignty.

According to Renew deputy Emma Wiesner, as COP29 approaches the priority should be the global focus on the ongoing climate crisis. She stressed that acknowledging its existence, does not mean ignoring the current human rights situation in Azerbaijan. Wiesner highlighted how Azerbaijan’s repression of human rights has increased significantly this year, citing the increasing number of arrests of individuals on political grounds, including journalists and human rights defenders, such as Dr. Gubad. Moreover, there was no shortage of criticism of the ongoing ethnical cleansing of Armenians in Nagorno Karabakh, which constitutes a clear violation of international law. According to the Renew deputy, it is shameful to allow Azerbaijan to host such an important conference.

She concluded by calling for such regimes not to host COPs in the future and urged the international community to remind Azerbaijan of its legal obligations and commitments to international law. Emma Wiesner was not the only one Emma Wiesner was not the only one who felt that Azerbaijan's hosting of COP29 was a shame.

This view was echoed by Michael Bloss, MEP for the Greens/EFA, who described the country as being a “fossil autocracy”. The deputy accused the Azerbaijani government of profiting from fossil fuels, while cracking down on its own civil society and people. He referred to the case of Dr Gubad Ibadoghlu, which is a striking example of the repression that dissidents and outspoken voices face and risk in the country. The economist was imprisoned after speaking out about corruption in the country, tortured in detention and now suffers from heart failure. The MP called for the economist's release.

Miriam Lexmann, EPP, explained how the Azerbaijani government is using COP29, which is being hosted by the country in its capital Baku, to cover up repression and oppression against Armenia. Lexmann also stressed the importance of imposing sanctions against the country for its human rights violations, such as those against economist Gubad Ibadoghlu and other political prisoners. The EPP MEP therefore urged the European Community to reduce its energy dependence on Azerbaijan and to stop governments from selling weapons used against Armenians in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

In response, European Commissioner Nicolas Schmit said that COP29 should be used to reiterate the EU's expectations that Azerbaijan will respect and fulfil its international commitments and obligations. He stressed that reprisals against freedom of expression are a clear violation of international law and called for the release and access to necessary medical treatment and care for those arbitrarily detained. He reiterated his concern about the ongoing human rights, freedom of expression, assembly and association and democracy situation in the country. Among other things, Schmit called on Azerbaijan to facilitate international access to Nagorno-Karabakh and to allow the safe return of Nagorno-Karabakh Armenians. Schmit acknowledged that the EU has a partnership with Azerbaijan, mainly in the field of energy, but he also said that this relationship should not prevent the EU from "strongly expressing its concerns and condemnations".