Protests Erupt in Yerevan as COP29 Climate Conference Approaches in Azerbaijan

From November 11 to 22, 2024, the United Nations Climate Change Conference, known as COP29, will take place in Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan. This event has sparked a wave of protests from various groups, particularly those advocating for human rights and the release of Armenian prisoners of war (POWs) held in Baku.

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The Armenian Report is covering a protest live on YouTube from the United Nations building in Yerevan, Armenia. This protest is organized by representatives of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) and focuses on demanding the release of Armenian POWs who are currently being held hostage in Azerbaijan. Following the UN event, the protestors plan to march to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Armenia and to the embassies of the OSCE Minsk Group co-chair countries that operate in Armenia.

Azerbaijan has a controversial human rights record, with many organizations labeling it an oil dictatorship. Just one year ago, Azerbaijan engaged in ethnic cleansing in Artsakh (also known as Nagorno-Karabakh), forcibly deporting around 120,000 indigenous Armenians. The situation has worsened in the occupied territories, where reports indicate that Azerbaijan continues to destroy Armenian cultural sites, leading to what many describe as cultural genocide.

In addition to the destruction of cultural heritage, many Armenian prisoners of war and civilians remain detained in Baku, including the military and political leadership from Artsakh. These ongoing human rights violations raise serious concerns, especially as the world turns its attention to climate change issues at the upcoming conference.

Activists are voicing a crucial message: there can be no climate justice without human rights justice. They argue that holding a climate forum in a country with such a troubling human rights record allows Azerbaijan to distract from its past actions, including the recent genocide of Armenians. Critics claim this could help Azerbaijan improve its international reputation despite its actions against Armenian citizens.

Protesters are calling on the international delegates attending COP29 to use their influence to pressure the Azerbaijani government. They demand the immediate release of all Armenian prisoners being held illegally in Azerbaijan, including the military and political leaders from Artsakh. 

The protests underscore the intersection of climate issues and human rights, highlighting the need for a comprehensive approach that includes the protection of human rights as part of any discussions on climate justice. As the COP29 conference approaches, the world will be watching to see how these issues unfold and whether the voices for justice and human rights will be heard amidst the dialogue on climate change.