Dear Friends,

The 29th United Nations Climate Change Conference opens in Baku, Azerbaijan, an extractivist country renowned for its violent repression of the free and independent press. 

Over the past year, the authorities have arrested around fifteen journalists for their work. Nargiz Absalamova is one of the thirteen journalists currently in detention. She was investigating environmental issues. Detained since 30 November 2023 on trumped-up charges of ‘smuggling foreign currency’, she worked for Abzas Media, one of the few independent media still operating in Azerbaijan. To date, Nargiz Absalamova, four of her colleagues at Abzas Media and eight other independent media professionals have been subjected to ill-treatment or humiliating conditions in prison.

Setting an example in terms of protecting journalism, particularly environmental journalism, should be a prerequisite for hosting a United Nations climate conference. How can we accept that an oil-producing country that throws its independent journalists in prison should host negotiations that will determine the future of the world's climate? 

RSF calls on the international community to demand that the Azerbaijani authorities release the imprisoned journalists, put an end to the flagrant violations of press freedom and finally commit to protecting independent journalism.

It is thanks to you that Reporters Without Borders can carry out this investigative work and call on the authorities to demand the release of journalists who have simply done their job. Thank you for your generosity.