Global Witness is today both alarmed and concerned at the repressive move by authorities in Azerbaijan to force the closure of the BBC's office in the Azerbaijan capital of Baku.
A statement from the BBC today said they have closed their office and suspended the activities of their journalists, following verbal instructions from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Azerbaijan.
It comes just a few months after the BBC exclusively covered a Global Witness investigation at COP29, revealing that the COP29 CEO – also the Azerbaijan Deputy Energy Minister – used his role to facilitate a meeting to discuss potential fossil fuel deals. In his subsequent opening address to COP29, Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev, launched a tirade against "western fake news" media and NGOs, as well as lauding the use of fossil fuels.
Dominic Kavakeb, Co-Director of Campaigns at Global Witness, said:
"Yet again we are seeing Azerbaijan proving exactly why they should never have been entrusted to host the world's most important climate talks. This is a state continuing to pursue fossil fuels, attacking press freedom and violently cracking down on dissent.
“We hope that the UNFCCC is taking note of this latest violation, and worrying precedent, from a state they deemed fit to host COP and in future is much more stringent about who they allow to take on this important role. States that say they support climate action, while repressing dissent and targeting those calling for climate action, are no partner for tackling the climate crisis – in fact they are the problem.
“Global Witness extends full solidarity with the BBC's journalists in Baku, as well as all imprisoned journalists in Azerbaijan. Tackling the climate crisis requires a media landscape free from censorship and restriction, where journalists and climate activists are not criminalised, and where the actions of big polluters can be exposed and called out.”
Following COP29, it has been reported that seven journalists and media workers were arrested and face dubious charges that carry long prison sentences.