D.C. Hearing: COP29 in Azerbaijan Overshadowed by Torture, Corruption, and Repression

Kate Watters, the Co-founder and Executive Director of Crude Accountability, a Virginia-based human rights and environmental NGO, recently delivered a critical message in Washington DC concerning the state of human rights in Azerbaijan. Crude Accountability, which focuses on the intersection of environment, climate, and human rights in regions impacted by oil and gas development, has worked closely with Azerbaijani activists and civil society groups since its founding in 2003.

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Speaking ahead of COP29, which will be hosted by Azerbaijan in November, Watters expressed deep concern over the nation's ongoing human rights abuses and the suppression of civil society. She noted that while Azerbaijan is set to host this major international climate meeting, its government continues to violate the rights of its own citizens, particularly those who speak out against the regime.

Azerbaijan, a country of around 10 million people, is located in the Caucasus region, bordered by Iran, Armenia, Georgia, and Russia. It is ruled by President Ilham Aliyev, who has been in power since 2003 following the death of his father, Heydar Aliyev, the country’s previous leader. Under Aliyev’s leadership, Azerbaijan has remained an authoritarian state, rife with corruption and repression.

According to Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index, Azerbaijan ranks 157th out of 180 countries, indicating severe corruption within its public sector. Despite official statistics suggesting that around 5% of the population lives below the poverty line, unofficial estimates paint a much grimmer picture. One Azerbaijani citizen told Crude Accountability, “We are the richest country, we are the poorest people.”

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Freedom House, in its 2024 Freedom in the World report, designated Azerbaijan as “Not Free,” giving it a score of 7 out of 100 in terms of political rights and civil liberties. The country earned 0 out of 40 points for political rights and just 7 out of 60 for civil liberties, highlighting the lack of democracy and freedom.

In recent years, the Azerbaijani government has ramped up its repression of civil society, activists, and journalists. Human Rights Watch has documented the government's use of false charges to imprison critics and manipulate evidence. Over the past year and a half, this crackdown has intensified, with many being arrested on fabricated charges and subjected to torture and inhumane treatment.

As of June 2024, the Union for Freedom of Political Prisoners in Azerbaijan reported that 303 individuals are currently held as political prisoners, an increase of 49 since December 2023. The list includes civil society activists, independent journalists, opposition leaders, and scholars. These prisoners are often mistreated, denied access to proper medical care, and held in poor prison conditions.

Watters highlighted the case of her colleague, Dr. Gubad Ibadoghlu, an economist, civil society activist, and scholar who was brutally arrested in July 2023. Dr. Ibadoglou was accused of counterfeiting money and possessing extremist literature—charges Watters described as absurd. After nine months in pretrial detention under inhumane conditions, he was released to house arrest. However, his health continues to deteriorate due to the government's refusal to provide necessary medical treatment.

Other prominent figures have also been caught in the government’s dragnet. Civil society activist Anar Mammadli and numerous independent journalists have been arrested in recent months. These detentions are a part of a broader campaign to silence anyone who dares to criticize the regime.

Watters expressed particular concern that these human rights violations are continuing as Azerbaijan prepares to host COP29, a major international climate summit. She stressed that, despite the attention on Azerbaijan during this event, the government has "doubled down on repression" and shows no respect for civil society, independent media, or the rule of law.

Azerbaijan's environmental record is also troubling. According to the World Bank, the country is not on track to meet its climate targets, despite being the host of the upcoming climate summit. Watters pointed out that President Aliyev continues to emphasize the importance of Azerbaijan’s oil and gas industry, even as the world moves toward reducing fossil fuel dependence.

In her closing remarks, Watters urged the U.S. government and the international community to take action. She called on the U.S. Congress to hold Azerbaijan accountable for its human rights abuses and to demand the immediate release of all political prisoners, including Dr. Ibadoglou. She also stressed the importance of ensuring that civil society groups and independent journalists are able to participate fully in COP29, without fear of repression or arrest.

Watters further recommended that sanctions be imposed on Azerbaijani officials responsible for human rights violations, and that the U.S. Congress raise these issues publicly and in diplomatic discussions with Azerbaijan. Without such actions, she warned, Azerbaijan will continue to act with impunity, even as it engages in high-profile international events like COP29.

As the world’s attention turns to Azerbaijan in the lead-up to COP29, the country’s severe human rights abuses cannot be ignored. The voices of civil society and independent media must be heard, both at the climate summit and beyond. Watters’ plea for justice is a reminder that climate action and human rights must go hand in hand.