Two Icelandic parliament members blacklisted in Azerbaijan ahead of COP29 climate conference in Baku

Two Icelandic parliament members, Bjarni Jónsson and Birgir Þórarinsson, have been placed on a blacklist in Azerbaijan, preventing them from attending the COP29 climate conference scheduled for next month in Baku. This blacklist includes 74 members of the Council of Europe, with the designation “personae non gratae” attributed to them.

The action stems from the Council of Europe’s decision not to validate Azerbaijan’s delegation credentials due to ongoing human rights violations within the country, where over 300 political prisoners and numerous journalists remain incarcerated. Additionally, Azerbaijan has been barred from participating in Council meetings.

Birgir Þórarinsson, a member of the Independence Party, stated he plans to submit a parliamentary resolution urging Iceland not to attend the conference in protest of this decision. He believes that the Icelandic Parliament should strongly condemn the situation.

The COP29 climate conference will take place from November 11 to 22 in Baku, Azerbaijan. A total of 50 individuals from Iceland are expected to participate in the event.