Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev today rejected what he called the "disgusting letter" of American congressmen, criticizing the state of human rights in his country and calling for the release of political prisoners before the start of the COP29 climate conference, which it will host next month, Reuters reported, BTA reported.< /p>
The letter, signed by nearly 60 lawmakers, calls on US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken to "press for the immediate and unconditional release of all political prisoners, hostages and prisoners of war, including ethnic Armenians, to ensure - suitable environment for successful diplomacy of the COP29.
It also says that "provocative statements" Azerbaijan's actions against Armenia could undermine peace talks between the neighboring countries, which have fought two wars since the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. Speaking in the city of Jabrail, which was recaptured during the 2020 war, the Azerbaijani president called the letter a "disgusting appeal that cannot influence our will" and said it was drawn up "to be threatened and accused".
The human rights record in Azerbaijan, including the detention of journalists and activists, is under increasing scrutiny as the country prepares to host delegates and media from around the world for the climate conference in November, Reuters reported. Armenia accuses Azerbaijan of carrying out ethnic cleansing in Karabakh, an internationally recognized region of Azerbaijan where ethnic Armenians enjoyed de facto independence after it broke away from Baku in the 1990s. Baku denies these accusations. Over the past year, the two countries have been negotiating on and off for a peace treaty, Reuters notes.