In a separate briefing from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Austrian participants in the World Climate Conference in Baku (Azerbaijan) had to be prepared for the conditions on the ground. It warns against supervision by the local regime and, among other things, it is advised to only use disposable mobile phones. Politically, Green Lena Schilling still has many plans locally.
First the election victory of Donald Trump and then the end of the German traffic light government. The 29th UN World Climate Conference started on Monday under difficult circumstances in Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan. Just in time for the politically heated phase of the conference, Green EU representative Lena Schilling will arrive next Monday – albeit under difficult circumstances.
Surveillance threatens
“We were told in advance that even EU parliamentarians in Baku are not allowed to communicate freely because their mobile phones and laptops could potentially be monitored by the regime,” is the concern in the office of the young Greens. Instead of good working conditions that enable important debates about the future of our planet, participants would find a ‘threatening climate’ on the ground.
The use of burner phones and disposable SIM cards is recommended, as is the use of virtual private networks (VPN). “We strongly advise against taking a personal mobile phone and laptop with you,” says the Greens. The red-white-red Greens were also explicitly warned in a separate briefing by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
For many activists, the situation is even more threatening. “Human rights organizations cannot send their staff to the COP because they fear reprisals there. “No political stickers or symbols should be visible on laptops, bags and T-shirts,” it is criticized. This brings back memories for green climate spokesman Lukas Hammer, who is also traveling to Baku.
“Two years ago in Egypt there was already a massive secret police presence at the location of the climate conference. When I wanted to document it, I was forced to delete the photos,” he recalls. When he was explicitly asked to provide personal data in the run-up to the current congress, he refused.
For Lena Schilling it is already clear before she arrives: “This year the climate conference will take place in a country where 300 political prisoners are currently incarcerated, where a critical civil society no longer exists because the corrupt oil regime has already ensured that many voices have been silenced. With an escalating global climate crisis, we urgently need international solutions.”
Schilling still has many political plans in Baku. The youngest member of the European Parliament has written a letter together with other EU members calling on the Azerbaijani government to facilitate a meeting with the political prisoners. At least 300 dissidents are currently in political captivity in Azerbaijan.
Source: Krone
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
