dw.com
Azerbaijan's COP29 Presidency Under Fire
Azerbaijan's hosting of COP29 is criticized due to its human rights abuses and reliance on fossil fuels. Journalist Emin Huseynov, now in exile, urges international pressure for change.
Albanian
Germany
PoliticsMiddle EastHuman RightsClimate ChangeEnergy SecurityEnergyRepression
Human Rights WatchClimate Action TrackerNew Climate InstituteReporters Without BordersCouncil Of Europe
Emin HuseynovIlham AliyevAnnalena BaerbockOlaf ScholzMukhtar Babayev
- Who is Emin Huseynov and why did he leave Azerbaijan?
- Emin Huseynov, a journalist and human rights activist, fled Azerbaijan in 2014 due to government repression and now lives in exile in Switzerland. He is a vocal critic of President Ilham Aliyev's autocratic rule.
- What are the main criticisms of Azerbaijan's hosting of COP29?
- Azerbaijan's hosting of COP29 is controversial given its poor environmental record and human rights abuses. The country heavily relies on fossil fuels and receives the worst climate protection ranking from Climate Action Tracker.
- What is Huseynov's call to action regarding Azerbaijan and COP29?
- Huseynov urges international pressure on Aliyev to release political prisoners and improve human rights. He believes the COP29 presidency is being used to improve Azerbaijan's image, rather than to genuinely address climate concerns.
- What is the situation for journalists and activists in Azerbaijan?
- The situation for journalists and activists in Azerbaijan is dire. Repression is widespread, with arrests and violence against critics frequently occurring, as highlighted by Human Rights Watch and Reporters Without Borders.
- How does President Aliyev justify Azerbaijan's reliance on fossil fuels?
- President Aliyev defends Azerbaijan's reliance on fossil fuels, viewing its oil and gas reserves as a "gift from God." He prioritizes economic prosperity over immediate climate action, despite the country's significant potential for renewable energy.