Artsakh

At COP29, Congressman Pallone Challenges Azerbaijan on Human Rights and Regional Peace

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At the COP29 climate summit in Baku, Azerbaijan, Congressman Frank Pallone (D-NJ) faced both government-sponsored protests and exclusion from critical meetings with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev. Pallone, a consistent advocate for regional peace and justice for Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh, expressed outrage at being excluded from a bipartisan meeting with Aliyev, despite requesting it on behalf of the U.S. House delegation. This exclusion, coupled with the protests orchestrated by the Azerbaijani government, underscores the regime’s attempt to silence dissent and avoid accountability.

“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 stated. “Efforts to stifle me only strengthen my resolve to fight for accountability, reform, and the dignity of those who have suffered under Azerbaijan’s oppressive regime.”

Pallone’s advocacy has long centered on condemning Azerbaijan’s military aggression and ethnic cleansing in Nagorno-Karabakh. During COP29, he urged fellow House members who met with Aliyev to address Azerbaijan’s continued aggression toward Armenia and the need for peaceful resolution through diplomacy. Pallone stressed that the bipartisan delegation emphasized to Aliyev that the United States supports peaceful negotiations and opposes further conflict in the region.

Earlier in the year, Pallone and Senator Markey had criticized the selection of Azerbaijan as the host country for COP29, citing the regime’s dependence on fossil fuel exports and its poor human rights record. During the summit, Markey reiterated his call for Azerbaijan to address human rights abuses, including attacks on civilians, torture, and restrictions on freedoms of expression and assembly. He urged Azerbaijan to release all Armenian and Azeri political prisoners, guarantee the right of return for ethnic Armenians, and negotiate a fair peace agreement with Armenia.

Pallone, who co-chairs the Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues, has spearheaded legislative initiatives like the ‘Support Armenians Against Aggression Act’ and remains committed to holding Azerbaijan accountable for violations in Nagorno-Karabakh. His exclusion and the protests against him highlight Azerbaijan’s increasing efforts to control narratives and avoid international scrutiny. Azerbaijani media further distorted events during Pallone’s visit, falsely portraying him and the U.S. State Department as aggressors against government-backed protesters, when in reality, Pallone faced potential harm.

On October 3, 2024, Pallone and Markey led a letter urging Secretary of State Antony Blinken to address Azerbaijan’s human rights violations ahead of COP29. They hoped the summit would foster constructive dialogue and progress toward peace accords between Azerbaijan and Armenia. However, these hopes were undermined by President Aliyev’s actions during the event.

Pallone’s joint press conference with Senator Markey, addressing these issues, is available for viewing here.

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