Exposing Aliyev’s Masquerade: The Illusion of Democracy Behind COP29

Next week, roughly 70,000 foreign guests are expected to flood into Baku for the most important climate forum of the year: COP29, the United Nations Climate Change Conference. While Azerbaijan prepares to host it as it strives to present itself to the world as a progressive and environmentally responsible nation. But scratch this shiny surface just a little, and a completely different picture emerges: a regime that systematically suppresses democratic freedoms, violates human rights, and keeps political prisoners behind bars. President Ilham Aliyev’s regime has organized a semblance of democracy, masking an authoritarian reality that requires international attention.

The history of elections in Azerbaijan is marred by credible accusations of fraud and manipulation. Elections are regularly criticized by international observers for not meeting basic democratic standards. Opposition candidates often face persecution, disqualification, or imprisonment, and media coverage is heavily biased in favor of the ruling party. These staged elections, in which Aliyev typically wins no less than 80% of the vote,  serve to legitimize his rule, effectively silencing dissenting voices.

By hosting COP29, Aliyev seeks to whitewash the authoritarian nature of his regime and present Azerbaijan as a progressive nation committed to global issues. The conference provides a platform to project an image of environmental responsibility and international cooperation. But this effort serves as a strategic distraction from ongoing human rights violations and the suppression of democratic freedoms within the country.

Azerbaijan continues to hold political prisoners, including opposition leaders, journalists, and scholars. Human rights organizations report cases where people are detained on charges widely regarded as politically motivated. Good examples are the cases of Gubad Ibadoghlu, a scholar and opposition leader; Ulvi Hasanli, an independent investigative journalist; and Bahruz Samadov, a scholar and activist. They were all arrested on fabricated charges for their stance against the Aliyev family’s dictatorship. Political prisoners often face harsh conditions and lack access to fair legal processes, exacerbated by the regime’s concurrent targeting of human rights attorneys.

Lawyers representing dissidents are routinely persecuted or disbarred, effectively eliminating any legal remedies for those who oppose the government. For instance, prominent human rights lawyer Shahla Humbatova was disbarred on questionable grounds related to unpaid membership fees, which she contested and promptly addressed. Similarly, Elchin Sadygov, known for defending journalists and activists, was arrested on dubious bribery charges that many believe were retaliatory for his professional work. Repression against dissent extends to any form of criticism, effectively suppressing freedom of speech and political expression in Azerbaijan.

Furthermore, Azerbaijan is responsible for the unlawful detention of Armenians from the Nagorno-Karabakh region following the military aggression of the Azerbaijani army in 2023, which led to the ethnic cleansing of Armenians from the region. These people are held without transparent legal proceedings, raising serious concerns under international law. Among those unlawfully detained are democratically elected leaders of the Nagorno-Karabakh Armenians and civilians persecuted merely for being Armenian.

Although Azerbaijan maintains the external structures of a democratic state, including elections and parliamentary procedures, they are mostly formal and lack genuine democratic substance. The media are controlled by the state or subjected to strict censorship, opposition parties are marginalized, and civil society organizations face significant restrictions.  The illusion of democracy is carefully crafted to appease international observers while maintaining strict control over the population.

We should keep in mind that Aliyev is part of a club of oppressive dictators, having close relationships with leaders like Turkey’s Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Belarus’s Alexander Lukashenko. Vladimir Putin’s visit to Baku in August, which became notable for the warm, cozy atmosphere of dictatorial camaraderie. These alliances are fortified through mutual interests such as access to markets, resource exchange, and military cooperation. A good illustration: Aliyev’s assisting Putin in circumventing international sanctions by reselling Russian gas to Europe, thereby providing Russia with a crucial economic lifeline.

Lukashenko, for his part, has supported Aliyev’s aggression against Nagorno-Karabakh by supplying political backing and weaponry. Erdogan has gone even further, not only offering political support and arms but also directly participating in military operations during the conflict. Such relationships with authoritarian leaders underscore Aliyev’s commitment to authoritarian governance. These alliances strengthen his regime and contribute to a collective disregard for democratic values and human rights in the region.

Aliyev also has good relations with Western leaders, not only due to Europe’s oil and gas dependency on Azerbaijani energy resources — especially after the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022 — but also thanks to Aliyev’s trump card: “caviar diplomacy.” The term “caviar diplomacy” has become associated with Azerbaijan’s practice of influencing foreign officials through lavish gifts, particularly large quantities of expensive black caviar. It is reported that Azerbaijani authorities have offered expensive gifts, luxury trips, and other benefits to international figures to secure favorable positions and soften criticism of the country’s human rights record. This strategy undermines the integrity of international institutions and allows the government to divert attention from its internal repressive regime.

The international community should not be complicit in this farce. While Azerbaijan hosts COP29, there is an opportunity to hold the regime accountable and demand concrete actions toward democratization and respect for human rights. The global community should call for the release of political prisoners, including opposition figures and journalists, and insist on the release of unlawfully detained Armenians from Nagorno-Karabakh.

Furthermore, the regime should be urged to cease repressive policies that suppress dissent and stifle free expression. Genuine political discourse and media freedom must be allowed for democracy to take root. International partnerships and investments should be conditioned on measurable progress in democratic practices and human rights protection.

COP29 should not serve as a stage for authoritarian regimes seeking to whitewash their global image while continuing internal repression. The international community has a responsibility to look beyond superficial displays and address the underlying issues. Including autocrats in such vital global events risks hollowing out valuable international institutions, undermining their effectiveness in addressing significant collective issues like climate change. By confronting the Azerbaijani regime about its human rights record and tyranny, world leaders can affirm their commitment to the values underpinning global cooperation. This not only upholds the integrity of international forums but also ensures that efforts to tackle global challenges are not compromised by the agendas of authoritarian leaders.

Aliyev’s masquerade cannot hide the realities faced by the Azerbaijani people. Genuine reforms ought to replace the current facade democracy that belies the regime’s firm hold on power. It is crucial for the international community to use this moment to advocate for the release of political prisoners, the cessation of repressive practices, and the initiation of true democratic processes.

Holding COP29 in Azerbaijan should prompt a critical assessment of the country’s commitment to democratic principles and human rights. The international community must unite in demanding an end to repression and supporting democratic reforms. Only then can the illusion be dispelled, allowing the people of Azerbaijan to hope for a future based on genuine democracy and respect for human rights.

Tigran Sargsyan is a policy researcher at the Human Rights Foundation.