WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, released the following statement as the international community plans to convene in Baku, Azerbaijan for the United Nations Conference of the Parties on Climate Change (COP29) from November 11 – 22, 2024.
“Hosting a major international conference like COP29 should come with responsibilities and expectations that host countries allow frank discussion of information and issues, which requires recognizing freedoms of speech and assembly. Azerbaijan has not done so. If Azerbaijan seeks to create a durable relationship with the Euro-Atlantic community, I urge President Aliyev to release those unjustly imprisoned by his government, including Armenian detainees, and community activists who peacefully demonstrated against poor labor practices and harmful environmental impacts of the Chovdar gold mine operation.
“Azerbaijan has the potential to be an important member of the international community and partner to the United States, but to do so, it must release those like pro-environment former MP Nazim Baydamirli, anti-corruption advocate Gubad Ibadoghlu, democracy activist Bakhtiyar Hajiyev, human rights activist Ilhamiz Guliyev, independent election monitor Anar Mammadli, anti-corruption focused editors and journalists Ulvi Hasanli, Mahammad Kekalov, Sevinj Vagifgizy, Nargiz Absalamova, Hafiz Babali, Elnara Gasimova, independent journalist Aziz Orujev activist Tofig Yagulblu, journalist Alasgar Mammadli, and economist Farid Mehralizada. Ahead of COP29 in November, I urge the Azerbaijani government to demonstrate its commitment to upholding human rights by releasing these individuals without delay.”
Tofig Yagulblu: Yagublu is a prominent activist associated with the opposition National Council of Democratic Forces and Musavat party and is the most prominent and respected opposition figure in Azerbaijan. He has a long history of harassment and imprisonment by the authorities. His most recent arrest came in December 2023.
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Alasgar Mammadli: Mammadli, cofounder of Toplum TV, is one of the more prominent journalists detained in recent crackdown. He and his advocates have complained about his conditions of confinement and inability to access adequate medical care.
Farid Mehralizada: Mehralizada, a well-respcted economist, was detained in May 2024. His detention came as a relative surprise, given that he had not particularly drawn the ire of government authorities previously.