Breaking
In the wake of the reported murder of outspoken Azerbaijani dissident Vidadi Isgandarli who was brutally beaten and stabbed to death in his house in France, Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) is urging the Biden-Harris Administration to “establish a U.S. Government effort to provide increased protection to Azerbaijanis living in the United States who may be in danger of escalating transnational repression in the run-up to next month’s COP29 Climate Change Conference in Baku.”
“This shocking crime perpetrated against a leading critic of Azerbaijani dictator Ilham Aliyev is extremely concerning and has placed Azerbaijanis in the United States on high alert—especially those who are bravely exposing Aliyev’s cruel regime and its egregious human rights violations and large-scale corruption,” said Smith, a senior member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and Co-Chair of the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission.
Azerbaijani Dictator Defends Detaining Hostages, Dismal Human Rights Practices in Run-up to COP29
Rejects Calls from 60 Senate and House Members to Release Political Prisoners, Hostages and POWs
The letter, signed by nearly 60 lawmakers, urged Secretary of State Antony Blinken to “press for the immediate and unconditional release of all political prisoners, hostages, and POWs, including ethnic Armenians, to enable a more conducive environment for successful diplomacy at COP29”.
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev rejected what he called a “disgusting” letter from U.S. lawmakers who criticized his country’s human rights record and urged it to free political prisoners before it hosts next month’s COP29 climate conference.
EU Parliament Motion for Resolution Denounces Human Rights Abuses in Azerbaijan, Calls for Suspension of Energy Partnership, and Questions Azerbaijan’s Hosting of COP29
- Strongly denounces the fact that the President of the Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, has characterised Azerbaijan as a ‘trustworthy energy supplier’.
- Reiterates its call for the Commission to immediately suspend the Memorandum of Understanding on a Strategic Partnership in the Field of Energy between the EU and Azerbaijan.
- Expresses concern about the human rights situation in Azerbaijan.
- Urges Azerbaijan to immediately and unconditionally release all political prisoners, human rights defenders and journalists who have been unfairly detained.
- Believes that the continued human rights abuses in Azerbaijan are incompatible with hosting COP29.
Azerbaijan’s Ethnic Cleansing in Nagorno-Karabakh and Genocidal Policy
Bellingcat: Satellite Imagery Shows City-Wide Ransacking in Nagorno-Karabakh
Satellite imagery reveals hundreds of incidents of what appears to be ransacking across the capital of Nagorno-Karabakh, Stepanakert.
CSI: Azerbaijan Slammed over Human Rights as COP29 Nears
Christian Solidarity International (CSI) has condemned Azerbaijan for illegally detaining between 23 and 100 Armenians, including eight current and former Artsakh leaders, following its military takeover of Nagorno Karabakh in September 2023, as international criticism mounts ahead of the COP29 conference.
Human Rights Watch: COP29 Host Country Agreement Lacks Rights Protections
- HRW calls on Azerbaijan to guarantee the rights of civil society participants at COP29.
- HRW obtained a copy of the host country agreement for COP29, which lacks clear protections for participant rights.
- The agreement includes immunity for participants but also requires them to respect Azerbaijani laws and not interfere with “internal affairs,” raising concerns about potential reprisals.
- Azerbaijan’s history of restricting free speech and assembly poses risks for participants.
- HRW urges the UNFCCC to make host country agreements public and ensure participants’ rights are protected at climate conferences.
Freedom House: Ahead of COP29, the InternationalCommunity Must Advocate for the Respect of Human Rights
During the UN’s annual convention on climate change in Baku next month, democracy’s defenders have an opportunity to hold the Azerbaijani regime accountable for its human rights violations—and to push for change.
Driven by Fear from Nagorno-Karabakh
‘We Entered the Forest Barefoot, They Were Shooting’: The Ordeal of Kichan Village Residents Amid Azerbaijan’s Genocidal Actions
“We were in a bad situation, terrible; they attacked us and we ran away from home to the forests,” 65-year-old Rima Ghalayan remembers this when talking about what happened in Artsakh a year ago.
Photo of the Week
Pedestrians cross the road as hot air balloons fly over the Armenian capital during the annual balloon festival, in Yerevan on October 15.
Photo Courtesy of Radio Free Europe (Armenian Service).
Security
U.S. to Continue Supporting Armenian Military Reforms
Armenian Army Chief Meets with U.S. Military Officials to Discuss Defense Partnership
Delegation Led by Chief of General Staff of Armed Forces on Working Visit to the US
Armenia Takes Partial Control of Its Borders for the First Time in 32 Years
The Russians, who have “guarded” Armenia’s borders since 1992, will partially withdraw on January 1, 2025. This represents an important step for Yerevan, which has tried to reduce Moscow’s influence.
Armenia, U.S. Extend Agreement on Countering Proliferation of WMDs
The Armenian Parliamentary Committee on Defense and Security Affairs approved the bill on ratifying the extension of the Armenia-U.S. agreement on Cooperation in Countering the Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction.
Secretary Grigoryan, US President’s Special Assistant Address Armenian-Azerbaijani Relations
The meeting addressed the regional and extra-regional security situation, focusing on the negotiation process for the settlement of Armenian-Azerbaijani relations.
Armenian Foreign Minister, US Official Discuss Regional Stability and Security
Swiss Lawmakers Call for International Peace Forum on Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict
U.S. Supports Armenia’s Border Security Efforts Against Drug Trafficking During Law Enforcement Training Course
Economy
In the Shadow of War, Armenia Tries to Make Its Economy Indispensable
By Charlie Campbell
Yet if Derulo’s grandstanding was somewhat incongruous with the thorny tech debates that followed, few could begrudge Armenia for relishing its moment in the spotlight. It was, in fact, the second time Armenia has hosted WCIT in the past five years, underscoring how this landlocked democracy of 3 million is recasting itself as a global technology hub.
DigiTec 2024: Showcasing Armenia’s Tech Ecosystem to the World
By Matthew Zein
The 2024 edition of DigiTec successfully showcased the vibrancy and potential of Armenia’s tech industry. As its 20th edition approaches, the event remains a crucial platform for promoting Armenia’s tech ecosystem both nationally and internationally.
Opinion
Washington Post: “Another Major Climate Conference Helps a Despotic Regime”
Azerbaijan, the host of the next U.N. climate conference, has a sordid record of human rights violations.
Revisiting the U.S. Response to the 2020 Artsakh War
By Hovhannes Nazaretyan
The article analyzes the U.S. response to the Nagorno- Karabakh conflict, highlighting its initial neutrality, ineffective diplomacy, and failed attempts at mediation during the 2020 war.
Azerbaijan Strives to Shut Down Discussion of its Rights Record at Upcoming COP29 Climate Conference
Leaked copy of hosting agreement shows Baku has leeway to punish potential critics.
Overshadowed by COP29, Armenian Сlimate Solutions Deserve a Spotlight
By Arya Jemal
Regardless of whether Armenia attends, it is unlikely discussions at COP29 will accurately highlight the problems in the region or represent Armenia’s interests relating to climate change. Yet while Armenia may be forgotten by environmentalists, overshadowed by conflict, Azerbaijan’s bid for COP29 and presumed irrelevance, those who are really dedicated to solving the climate crisis have much to learn from this small but mighty country.
The Tale of Two Elections: Implications for the South Caucasus
By Benyamin Poghosyan
As the US presidential election approaches, many are assessing the implications of a Donald Trump or Kamala Harris administration in different parts of the world. Commentators on the South Caucasus are no exception.
Russia Praises Azerbaijan’s ‘Constructive’ Approach to Return of Nagorno-Karabakh Refugees
By Arshaluys Barseghyan
Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova has said Azerbaijan is taking ‘constructive’ actions to facilitate the right to return of Nagorno-Karabakh Armenians, as evidence mounts of the demolition of residential and cultural heritage buildings in Nagorno-Karabakh.