European Parliament Condemns Azerbaijan’s Human Rights Abuses Amid Controversy Over COP29 Hosting

Brussels, October 24, 2024 – The European Parliament has issued a pointed condemnation of Azerbaijan for human rights abuses, escalating repression of civil society, and military actions against Armenia. Passed with 453 votes in favor, 89 against, and 38 abstentions, the resolution focuses on the mounting concern over Azerbaijan’s actions, especially as it prepares to host COP29. Parliament’s resolution lists multiple human rights violations, including politically motivated arrests of high-profile figures like Anar Mammadli and Gubad Ibadoghlu, the 2024 Sakharov Prize nominee. It criticizes the restrictions imposed on NGOs and the media, which Parliament sees as silencing independent voices. Also, it denounces Azerbaijan’s military aggression, which has displaced over 100,000 Armenians from Nagorno-Karabakh and led to the destruction of Armenian cultural heritage.

European Commission representative Nicolas Schmit acknowledged COP29 as an opportunity for Azerbaijan to demonstrate a commitment to international human rights standards. Schmit stressed the urgency of addressing the detention of journalists, human rights defenders, and activists, including Dr. Ibadoghlu, whose deteriorating health has prompted calls for his release to receive necessary medical care. Schmit urged the Azerbaijani government to lift travel bans on PACE members and others detained for exercising fundamental freedoms.

François-Xavier Bellamy, of the EPP Group, criticized Azerbaijan's leader, Ilham Aliyev, labeling him a "persecutor" of the Armenian people. Bellamy argued that Europe should not support Azerbaijan’s government and its human rights violations simply because of energy needs. Emphasizing this, he called for an end to the EU-Azerbaijan gas agreement, and for sanctions against Aliyev’s regime, stating that true European values lie with the Armenian people in their fight for freedom and peace.

Similarly, Jordan Bardella of the PfE group accused Azerbaijan of acting with expansionist ambitions against Armenia, facilitated by Turkish support and European energy payments. Bardella condemned what he called Azerbaijan’s disinformation campaign aimed at destabilizing French overseas territories, describing it as a violation of French sovereignty and an attack on civil peace. For Bardella, these actions warrant Europe’s immediate end to complacency, warning that continued appeasement will only lead to future chains. He ended by asserting, “Armenian blood is worth more than Aliyev’s gas.”

Voices from the Renew Europe group also underscored the urgent need for European accountability. Nathalie Loiseau called COP29 in Baku a greenwashing attempt, questioning the ethics of an energy relationship that indirectly funds Russia. Loiseau highlighted Azerbaijan’s record of silencing dissenters, mentioning the arrest and attempted assassinations of prominent figures, including Mahammad Mirzali, and urged the EU to hold Aliyev accountable.

This condemnation was echoed by Alexander Sell of the ESN group, who alleged that Azerbaijani bribes influenced European politicians and played a role in the silence surrounding Azerbaijani actions in Nagorno-Karabakh. His remarks point to a deepening suspicion in Parliament over Azerbaijan’s influence on European decision-making.

Despite opposition from members of the ECR and ID groups, who do not want to risk European energy security, the resolution’s broad support demonstrates Europe’s shared concerns. This vote signals a commitment to the EU’s core values, even when weighed against practical needs like energy security. For the majority, standing against human rights abuse is an obligation, not an option, and COP29 is seen as an opportunity to draw global attention to this stance.