Daughter of imprisoned Azerbaijan activist campaigns for release amid ‘greenwash’ COP

The choice of Azerbaijan to be the host nation for this week’s annual UN climate summit Cop29 was always going to be controversial.

It is vastly rich in oil and gas and Azerbaijan’s president boasted of his love for its fossil fuel in his welcoming speech.

Critics of Ilham Aliyev’s government have accused it of using the summit to “greenwash” its poor record on human rights.

For years, the government targetted journalists and opposition politicians, and human rights organisations accused it of cracking down ahead of the climate summit.

The economist and academic Dr. Gubad Ibadoghlu, who has taught in the UK, is one of more than three-hundred activists who have been imprisoned. He was charged with counterfeiting money. Something he has always denied.

He is now under house arrest and his daughter Zhala Bayramova has mounted a relentless campaign for his release.

We began by asking what happened to her father on the day of his arrest.

An FCDO Spokesperson said:

“The UK continues to consistently advocate for Dr Ibadoghlu’s access to appropriate medical care and right to a fair legal process, and would welcome any decision by the Azerbaijani authorities which allow him to travel abroad to receive appropriate medical care, as required.

“We will continue to use our diplomatic channels to raise our concerns about the protection of freedoms and human rights in Azerbaijan.”