As representatives from nearly 200 countries gather in Azerbaijan for the U.N. climate conference known as COP29, the host country's poor human rights record is under intense scrutiny. President Ilham Aliyev's administration has been accused of cracking down on freedom of speech, targeting journalists, activists, and independent politicians.
Azerbaijan, a country with a history of suppressing dissent, has faced criticism for its restrictive environment during elections and crackdown on journalists and human rights activists. The recent detention of journalists from independent news outlets on currency smuggling charges has raised concerns about the government's actions.
