Sen. Markey and Rep. Pallone Reflect on COP29, Stress Need for Azerbaijan to Establish Peace With Armenia, Address Human Rights Record

On Monday, November 18, Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) and Congressman Frank Pallone (D-NJ) addressed the press after returning from COP29, the annual global climate change conference held this year in Baku, Azerbaijan. While climate issues were a central focus, the lawmakers spotlighted urgent human rights concerns and geopolitical tensions involving Azerbaijan, Armenia, and the broader South Caucasus region.

Senator Markey and Congressman Pallone both criticized Azerbaijan’s poor human rights record, raising concerns about the ongoing detainment of political prisoners, ethnic Armenians, and prisoners of war following Azerbaijan’s military actions in Nagorno-Karabakh in September 2023. Last month, the two legislators led a bipartisan effort urging U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken to push for the immediate and unconditional release of all detainees and to address Azerbaijan’s violations of international law.

“While nations gathered in Baku to discuss climate action, we could not ignore the climate of fear and repression just outside the conference walls,” Senator Markey said. He expressed deep concern over Azerbaijan's systemic human rights abuses, including unlawful detentions, torture, and severe restrictions on freedoms of expression, assembly, and association. Congressman Pallone echoed these sentiments, describing Azerbaijan's behavior as oppressive and counterproductive to regional peace efforts.

The choice of Azerbaijan, a country heavily dependent on fossil fuel production and widely criticized for its human rights record, as host for COP29 drew scrutiny from the start. Both lawmakers argued that the event could have been an opportunity for Azerbaijan to demonstrate goodwill, including the release of political prisoners and a commitment to peace negotiations with Armenia. Instead, tensions escalated.

Congressman Pallone revealed that Azerbaijan’s leadership took an increasingly hostile stance in the days leading up to the conference, even targeting him and Senator Markey personally. Pallone described an orchestrated campaign of harassment, including confrontations with government-aligned protesters and restrictions on movement. He also criticized Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev’s refusal to meet with him, highlighting the authoritarian nature of the regime. “It is outrageous and very telling that President Aliyev would try to silence members of the U.S. Congress and prevent critical discussions on human rights and justice for the Armenian people, even behind closed doors,” Pallone said.

The humanitarian situation in Nagorno-Karabakh remains dire. In September 2023, Azerbaijani launched a military offensive that led to the forced mass displacement of the region's ethnic Armenian population. Reports from Freedom House and Human Rights Watch describe the events as ethnic cleansing, with Armenian civilians forced to flee their homes and many remaining unaccounted for.

“There are 23 Armenian prisoners that Azerbaijan admits to holding, but the true number is likely far higher,” said Senator Markey. He called on Azerbaijan to guarantee the right of return for displaced ethnic Armenians and to engage in good-faith negotiations for a peace agreement with Armenia. Congressman Pallone emphasized the urgency of removing Azerbaijani troops from Armenian territory and establishing clear, internationally recognized borders.

Both lawmakers reiterated their commitment to holding Azerbaijan accountable. Senator Markey highlighted his earlier bipartisan efforts, including a resolution requiring the State Department to report on Azerbaijan’s human rights practices and calls for the cessation of U.S. security assistance to Azerbaijan until peace is achieved.

Congressman Pallone stressed the importance of continued U.S. engagement. “We cannot stand by while Azerbaijan expands its aggression and repression,” he said. He also stressed the need for a comprehensive peace agreement that ensures the safety and sovereignty of Armenia, as well as regional stability.

“The best thing for the Caucasus is collaboration,” Pallone stated. “Economic integration, transportation networks, and sustainable development can bring prosperity to all nations in the region—if they choose peace over conflict.”

For Senator Markey and Congressman Pallone, their mission is clear: to fight for justice for the Armenian people, promote accountability for human rights abuses, and encourage a peaceful resolution to ongoing conflicts.

As Congressman Pallone concluded, “We won’t give up. The Armenian government hasn’t given up. And neither should the world. The stakes are too high for silence.”