Azerbaijan Faces Global Pressure Over Human Rights Ahead of COP29

International organizations urge Azerbaijan to end its crackdown on civil society as it prepares to host the UN climate summit.

Azerbaijani authorities have intensified repression against journalists, activists, and NGOs with politically motivated charges, according to human rights groups.
Approximately 300 individuals remain in detention on fabricated charges, including prominent human rights defenders and journalists.
The crackdown coincides with Azerbaijan hosting COP29, raising concerns about the safety and freedom of participants at the climate summit.
International pressure mounts as NGOs and political leaders call for the release of political prisoners and respect for human rights obligations.
The European Union and other countries are urged to leverage trade ties to demand concrete human rights commitments from Azerbaijan.