Published on November 9, 2024 at 09:08. / Modified on November 9, 2024 at 09:09.
-
Since last year, repression against civil society, the media and political opponents has increased in Azerbaijan.
-
NGOs call for a boycott of COP29 and urge EU leaders to put pressure on Baku.
-
To improve its image, the country uses fake accounts on social networks which propagate the official discourse.
For the third time in a row, the COP will be organized in an authoritarian country, for the second time in a row in a place in the world whose history is inseparable from that of hydrocarbon exploitation. On the borders of the Caucasus and the former empires, Azerbaijan, a country governed for more than twenty years by the iron fist of Ilham Aliev, re-elected in February 2024 after a sham of democracy, is preparing to host the largest summit of its history after Eurovision, a few Euro 2020 matches and its Formula 1 Grand Prix. And, before this spotlight, in addition to the renovation of the facades in the capital and the redevelopment of the “Olympic stadium” in Baku for the event, the country’s authorities are taking a new turn in the repression of all critical voices. Sowing fear and leading to hasty departures from the country.
On the shores of the Caspian Sea, the hunt for dissidents, civil society and the media is nothing new, but the number of political prisoners has skyrocketed since last year, surprising observers. At least 319 journalists, bloggers, human rights defenders and opponents were behind bars at the end of last September, according to the “Union for the Freedom of Political Prisoners in Azerbaijan” association. Alarmed, 17 human rights organizations urged Western governments on Wednesday to put pressure on the gas country on the sidelines of COP29.
Want to read all of our articles?
For CHF 29.- per month, enjoy unlimited access to our articles, without obligation!
I subscribe
Good reasons to subscribe to Le Temps:
- Unlimited access to all content available on the website.
- Unlimited access to all content available on the mobile application
- Sharing plan of 5 articles per month
- Consultation of the digital version of the newspaper from 10 p.m. the day before
- Access to supplements and T, the Temps magazine, in e-paper format
- Access to a set of exclusive benefits reserved for subscribers
Already have an account?
Log in
Swiss
