Politics - 1997 September 08 (Monday)

On November 15, animal rights activist Kamran Mammadli was detained while staging a protest at the COP29 climate conference. Mammadli was protesting the shooting of street dogs in Azerbaijan. He raised a sign above his head that read: "Azerbaijani authorities are shooting dogs on the streets!" He also shouted: "Resign those who teach youth to be sycophants under the guise of volunteerism!"

The United States has been working with Azerbaijan for a long time on energy issues and fossil fuel emissions, particularly focusing on technologies that reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and help transition to clean energy, the  U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm  stated at a press conference on November 15 during COP29 in Baku, in response to a question from Turan about how the U.S. can assist Azerbaijan in its transition to renewable and green energy.

On November 15, the Baku Appeals Court heard the complaint filed by Ulvi Hasanli, the director of the Abzas Mediapublication, against Baku's pre-trial detention center -1 detention facility and the Penitentiary Service. The complaint concerns poor conditions of detention, inhumane treatment, and restrictions on Hasanli’s rights while in custody. Representatives from both institutions failed to appear in court.

On November 14, a debate took place in the German Bundestag discussing the "horrific" human rights situation in Azerbaijan and COP29. Following the discussions, members of the Bundestag called on the Azerbaijani authorities to release political prisoners, including Gubad Ibadoglu, Anar Mammadli, Samir Ashurov, and all others detained for political reasons. The debate was initiated by Member of Parliament Frank Schwabe. In his speech, Schwabe emphasized that the COP29 conference was being held in Baku against the backdrop of severe human rights violations.