The opposite side of COP-29

The 29th Conference of the Parties (COP29) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change was held in Azerbaijan this year. Despite the Azerbaijani side’s attempts to use the event to enhance its image, protests were held both in Azerbaijan and other countries during the conference, aimed at opposing the policies pursued by the Baku authorities.

For instance, a protest related to COP29 took place in Bonn, Germany, near the UN campus. A group of immigrant activists used this opportunity to draw international attention to the fact that COP29 was being held in Azerbaijan, a country where political repression is prevalent.

The event participants raised critical issues such as the plight of journalists and political activists imprisoned in Azerbaijan, as well as the social conditions of veterans of the 44-day war, and the increase of suicides cases among them.

It is worth noting that a similar protest was held in Gießen, Germany. The participants of the protest demanded that the Azerbaijani government release more than 300 detained political activists and religious figures.

Protests were held not only abroad but also in Baku. Ismayil Jafarli, a laborer, staged a protest during the COP29 event, claiming that workers in Azerbaijan are exploited and do not have fair wages or promised bonuses.

Local security personnel attempted to remove the protester from the venue but were unsuccessful. Jafarli also stated that he does not rule out the possibility of pressure on him and his relatives following this protest.

Animal rights activist Kamran Mammadli, who staged a protest during COP29, was also arrested. The activist protested against the shooting of stray dogs in Azerbaijan, stating that the authorities are conducting a mass culling of stray animals. Kamran Mammadli was forcibly detained by security personnel.

To mitigate the escalating authoritarian policies of the regime in Azerbaijan and to condemn the actions of the authorities, ordinary citizens have no choice but to make their voices heard during such prestigious events.

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