German foreign minister criticizes Azerbaijan’s human rights record

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock criticized the human rights record of Azerbaijan during her first appearance at the UN Climate Change Conference, known as COP29, which is being hosted in the Azerbaijani capital Baku, DPA reported.

“The arrests of media activists and members of the opposition are very worrying,” Baerbock said.

She specifically mentioned the Azerbaijani government’s refusal to allow critic Gubad Ibadoghlu, who is being held under house arrest, to leave the country.

Entry bans for 76 members of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe were also absolutely unacceptable, said Baerbock.

“They also affect German members of the Bundestag and are incompatible with Azerbaijan’s obligations in the Council of Europe,” she said.

She added that it was important for this climate conference to address the situation.

At the same time, however, the summit must achieve a result in the fight against the climate crisis, which she called the greatest security policy issue of our time.