Nearly 60 U.S. lawmakers, including 10 senators and 48 representatives, have called on Secretary of State Antony Blinken to advocate for human rights protections in Azerbaijan ahead of the COP29 climate summit in Baku next month. In a letter addressed to Blinken, the lawmakers stressed the importance of pressing Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev to release political prisoners and take “tangible measures” to ensure a conducive environment for successful diplomacy at the summit.
The letter highlighted concerns about provocative statements made against Armenia, which could undermine ongoing peace negotiations following Azerbaijan’s recent control of the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh. Lawmakers urged the immediate and unconditional release of all political prisoners, including ethnic Armenians, to foster a more peaceful climate ahead of COP29.
The COP29 Azerbaijani presidency did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The lawmakers’ appeal follows criticism from human rights groups regarding Azerbaijan’s human rights record, particularly after it was announced that the country would host the next round of UN climate negotiations. Earlier this year, allegations surfaced that a former top official from the ethnic Armenian administration of Nagorno-Karabakh was tortured while in custody in Azerbaijan, further intensifying concerns about the nation’s treatment of political dissidents.
The urgency of this request underscores the intersection of climate diplomacy and human rights advocacy, as lawmakers seek to ensure that the upcoming climate summit does not overlook critical humanitarian issues.
