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Azerbaijan, EU human rights feud escalates as COP29 looms

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By illuminem briefings

· 2 min read


illuminem summarizes for you the essential news of the day. Read the full piece on POLITICO or enjoy below:

🗞️ Driving the news: Tensions between the European Union and Azerbaijan are escalating ahead of COP29, the upcoming U.N. climate summit in Baku
EU officials, including Social Rights Commissioner Nicolas Schmit, have criticized Azerbaijan's human rights record, calling for the release of political prisoners
Azerbaijan's government has rebuffed these calls, accusing the EU of hypocrisy and bias

🔭 The context: Relations soured following the 2022 EU-Azerbaijan natural gas deal, which aimed to reduce Europe's dependence on Russian energy
The recent conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh has also fueled discord, with EU lawmakers demanding the release of detained Armenian leaders
Human rights advocates argue that Azerbaijan is cracking down on dissent, with increasing restrictions on journalists and activists

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: As COP29's host, Azerbaijan faces scrutiny over its climate and human rights policies, potentially affecting the credibility of the talks
The tension highlights the challenge of balancing geopolitical interests with climate goals, especially when major energy exporters are involved
The outcome could influence future energy policy and human rights diplomacy

⏭️ What's next: The EU may face pressure to reconsider its gas deal with Azerbaijan amid ongoing human rights concerns
Western leaders attending COP29 will likely navigate a delicate balance between addressing climate change and advocating for human rights
How Azerbaijan handles criticism during the summit could impact its international reputation

💬 One quote: "Some of the discussions at the European Parliament reminds us of a theater of the absurd or a circus" - Hikmet Hajiyev, Azerbaijan's foreign policy chief

📈 One stat: Human rights organizations estimate that there are around 100-150 political prisoners in Azerbaijan, including activists, journalists, and opposition figures

Click for more news covering the latest on human rights 

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