MEPs Denounce Azerbaijan’s Rights Violations Ahead Of Key Conference

· October 25, 2024

The resolution approved by members of the European Parliament also called for the normalization of relations between Azerbaijan and neighboring Armenia and the signing of a long-awaited peace agreement.

The European Parliament on October 24 denounced what it called violations of human rights and international law by Azerbaijan, saying Europe needs to end its dependency on gas from the Caucasus nation.

In a tersely worded resolution, 453 MEPs voted in favor of the statement that condemned Azerbaijan’s “repression” of activists, journalists, and opposition leaders at home and abroad, which has “noticeably intensified” ahead of Baku hosting the 29th United Nations Climate Change conference (COP29) next month.

“Azerbaijan’s ongoing human rights abuses are incompatible with its hosting of the climate conference, and [we] encourage EU leaders such as European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to use the gathering as an opportunity to address the country’s poor track record in this field,” a press release from the European Parliament said.

“Parliament also calls on the government in Baku to cease all forms of repression in and beyond Azerbaijan, release all persons arbitrarily detained and drop all politically motivated charges.”