Armenian Lawyers` Association concerned over planned COP29 in Azerbaijan

ArmInfo. The Armenian Lawyers' Association expresses deep concern regarding the decision to hold the 29th Conference of the Parties (COP29) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in Azerbaijan from November 11 to November 22, 2024.

We consider this decision incompatible with the goals and values of COP, based on Azerbaijan's continuous irresponsible behavior in the areas of human rights, democracy, and environmental issues, as evidenced by the following:

Human Rights Violations? Azerbaijan faces serious issues concerning human rights violations and violence against citizens. Freedom of speech, press, and assembly are severely restricted in this country, contradicting COP's objectives and values. According to Human Rights Watch's 2023 report, Azerbaijan continues to persecute and arrest political opponents, journalists, and activists.

Environmental Irresponsibility? COP's main objectives include reducing greenhouse gas emissions, developing renewable energy sources, and promoting sustainable development. However, Azerbaijan's current policies and actions contradict these goals. Specifically, data from Azerbaijan's State Statistical Committee shows the oil and gas sector's dominant role in the country's economy. According to 2022 data, the oil and gas sector accounted for 47.8% of the country's GDP. These figures demonstrate the country's extreme dependence on fossil fuels, contradicting COP's goals of transitioning to a green economy and combating climate change.  Moreover, the issue of corruption further complicates the environmental challenges.

In Transparency International's "Corruption Perceptions Index 2023," Azerbaijan scored 23 points in 2024, ranking 154th out of 180 countries, indicating a high level of corruption. This calls into question the country's ability to effectively address environmental issues and adhere to COP's principles of transparency and accountability.

Furthermore, the Caspian Sea ecosystem is potentially endangered by Azerbaijan's oil industry. The Tehran Convention (Framework Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the Caspian Sea) sets high standards for protecting the Caspian Sea environment, including the prevention of oil spills and industrial waste. However, detailed reports or evidence of the Azerbaijani government's compliance with these standards have not been found in public sources. This raises concerns about the protection of the Caspian Sea's biodiversity and fish stocks.

In addition to these concerns, the state of democracy in Azerbaijan is also problematic.

Lack of Democracy? Democratic institutions in Azerbaijan face serious systemic obstacles. The absence of democratic principles and transparent governance casts doubt on the fairness and transparency of COP decisions. In Freedom House's "Freedom in the World 2023" report, Azerbaijan was classified as a "not free" country, scoring only 9 out of 100 points.

Regional Instability and Aggressive Policy? Azerbaijan's policy in the region continues to raise concerns in the international community and contradicts COP's idea of peaceful cooperation. Various UN bodies and international organizations continue to express concern about the tension in the region and human rights violations by Azerbaijan. The UN Committee Against Torture, in its latest report, addressed the human rights situation in the region.

International organizations have also documented cases of Azerbaijan using weapons prohibited by international conventions. For example, Human Rights Watch confirmed the use of cluster munitions during the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

Lastly, the lack of transparency in climate financing is a significant issue.

Lack of Transparency in Climate Financing. Transparency International's statement (concerning transparency and integrity in lobbying and influence) shows that public participation is often lacking in climate financing processes, contributing to increased corruption risks. Corruption in Azerbaijan is systemic, as confirmed by international investigations. In particular, the "Panama Papers" revealed offshore transactions of Azerbaijan's ruling elite. Serious cases of corruption have also been uncovered in the mining sector, as shown by the U.S. Department of Justice's Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) guide.

Considering the above, we call on:

The organizers of COP29 to reconsider their decision and move the event to a country that aligns with COP's values and objectives.

The Secretariat of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) to review the criteria for selecting the venue for COP29, taking into account factors of human rights, democracy, and environmental responsibility.

The international community and civil society organizations to voice concerns about holding COP29 in Azerbaijan and demand transparency and accountability in this process.

The Government of Armenia to raise this issue through diplomatic channels in international forums and protect the interests of the Republic of Armenia in global efforts to combat climate change.

Ensure transparency and public oversight of climate financing to reduce corruption risks.

Involve local communities and vulnerable groups in climate financing decision-making processes, ensuring that no one is left behind.

The Armenian Lawyers' Association is ready to cooperate with all stakeholders to ensure that COP29 is held in a location that complies with the principles of international law and the global goals of combating climate change.

This statement was adopted by the Board of the Armenian Lawyers' Association on July 31, 2024. The Armenian Lawyers' Association has held special consultative status with the UN Economic and Social Council since 2014.