Activist Detained for Protesting Stray Dog Killings During COP29

An Animal rights activist with the Vegan Collective, Kamran Mammadli, was forcibly detained during a solo protest at the COP29 climate conference in Baku on November 15. The protest highlighted the alleged killing of stray dogs in Azerbaijan, sparking renewed scrutiny of the country’s human rights practices.

Mammadli held a sign demanding an end to the killings and accused Azerbaijani authorities of “massacring” stray dogs. He was confined in a restroom for about 90 minutes before being removed from the venue. Reflecting on the incident, he stated, “Although the Azerbaijani authorities announced the participation of civil society in the conference in advance, they once again showed that they are intolerant and violent against any protest voice.”

Animal rights groups have frequently criticized Azerbaijan’s Toplan Stray Dog Care Center, accusing it of carrying out the shootings—a claim Toplan denies. The protest coincided with broader concerns about freedom of expression in Azerbaijan, as over 20 activists and journalists have reportedly faced arrests since 2023. Critics, including Amnesty International, argue that these detentions target individuals exposing corruption and human rights abuses, while the government insists all arrests are lawful.

Journalists covering Mammadli’s protest reported harassment, including having their phones confiscated. Despite claims of inclusivity at COP29, these incidents underscore ongoing tensions in Azerbaijan’s civil society. The conference, running through November 22 at Baku Olympic Stadium, focuses on addressing global climate impacts and funding for vulnerable nations.

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