In a recent government meeting, experts highlighted the alarming state of cultural heritage and human rights in Azerbaijan, particularly in the context of the ongoing tensions surrounding Nagorno Karabakh. Professor Smith, co-director of Caucasus Heritage Watch, emphasized the urgent need to monitor and protect Armenian cultural sites in the region, which he described as being under severe threat due to Azerbaijan's historical policies of cultural erasure. He cited a study documenting the destruction of 98% of Armenian heritage sites in Nakhchivan between 1997 and 2011, comparing it to some of the worst examples of cultural destruction in history.

Smith reported that his organization has documented 14 destroyed sites in Nagorno Karabakh, with many others facing imminent danger due to extensive development projects. He called for increased global awareness and accountability for those responsible for such heritage destruction, asserting that attacks on cultural monuments are attacks on collective identity.

Kate Waters, executive director of Crude Accountability, provided a stark overview of the human rights situation in Azerbaijan, particularly in the lead-up to the COP 29 meeting scheduled for November in Baku. She described Azerbaijan as an authoritarian state with rampant corruption and a poor human rights record, noting that the government has intensified its crackdown on civil society, leading to an increase in political prisoners. As of June, there were 303 documented political prisoners, with reports of torture and inhumane treatment prevalent in detention facilities.

Waters highlighted specific cases of activists and journalists who have faced arbitrary detention and mistreatment, including Dr. Gubad Ibadoglu, an economist and civil society leader, who has been subjected to harsh conditions and denied medical treatment while under house arrest. She urged the international community to take action against these abuses, particularly as Azerbaijan prepares to host a significant global climate conference.

The discussions underscored the critical intersection of cultural preservation and human rights in Azerbaijan, calling for urgent attention and action from the global community to address these pressing issues.