Inside Geneva: Love for Life in Gaza and COP29’s Ethical Dilemma in Azerbaijan
Hosted by Imogen Foulkes | Released on October 29, 2024

Introduction

In this compelling episode of Inside Geneva, host Imogen Foulkes delves into two pivotal global issues: the vibrant yet beleaguered life in Gaza as depicted in the new book Daybreak in Gaza, and the ethical controversies surrounding the upcoming COP29 climate conference in Azerbaijan. Produced by SWI swissinfo.ch, this episode offers in-depth discussions with key contributors, shedding light on the resilience of Gazans and the pressing human rights concerns linked to international events held in contentious regions.

"Daybreak in Gaza": A New Book Illuminating Gazan Life

Daybreak in Gaza serves as a poignant exploration of life within the Gaza Strip, capturing its rich history, culture, and the daily experiences of its residents amidst ongoing conflict and blockade.

A. Overview of the Book

Edited by Mahmoud Moona, Matthew Teller, and Juliet Toomer, the book is a collection of personal narratives that portray the multifaceted lives of Gazans beyond the headlines of destruction and violence. It emphasizes the beauty, culture, and enduring spirit of the people who call Gaza home.

B. Personal Stories and Excerpts

The episode features heartfelt excerpts from the book, starting with Amani Shaltut’s reflection at [03:13]:

"If only I had known to plan for a genocide, I would have cherished those last moments at home, my last night in a bed, my last morning coffee, my last kibba dipped in hummus, my last day at work. My last laugh, my last birthday celebration, my last everything."
— Amani Shaltut [03:13]

These narratives highlight the everyday joys and the devastating impacts of conflict on personal lives.

C. Insights from the Authors and Editors

• Mahmoud Moona [03:55 – 05:43]: Mahmoud discusses his motivation for editing the book, emphasizing the need to document the societal fabric of Gaza that is often overlooked amid reports of destruction. He shares a deeply personal reason, expressing a desire to answer future questions from his daughters about what was done during these tumultuous times.

“I was worried about my young daughters in 20 years asking me back in time when this was happening, when people were killed. What did you do about it?”
— Mahmoud Moona [04:00]

• Matthew Teller [06:17 – 09:05]: Matthew reflects on the absence of pro-Hamas or extreme anti-Israel sentiments in the book, noting the focus on ordinary individuals and their cherished routines.

“I think that that reflects what I felt about it too, that we see so much on the news, but very little about the life of ordinary individuals and the things they do and that they enjoyed doing.”
— Matthew Teller [06:17]

• Juliet Toomer [09:06 – 12:26]: Juliet underscores the importance of humanizing Gazans, dispelling stereotypes, and emphasizing their humanity beyond geopolitical narratives.

“The people of Gaza, almost universally from the people that we spoke to, said, we don't want to be seen as monsters. We're not all terrorists... We're just ordinary human beings.”
— Juliet Toomer [09:06]

D. Highlighted Stories

• Amani Shaltut’s Excerpt [17:11 – 20:33]: Amani, the director of the UNRWA Photo Archive in Gaza, shares a moving message amidst the chaos of drones and bombs, emphasizing the resilience and hope within the community.

“Education is the passport for our better future and also make us proud of our identity... What you are doing is a turning point in history.”
— Amani Shaltut [19:25]

• Hossam al Madhoon’s Story [22:37 – 25:05]: Mahmoud reads a story by Hossam, a child protection officer and theater enthusiast, illustrating the daily struggles and poignant moments of Gazans striving to maintain normalcy.

“A boy in the market is holding a tiny piece of mirror, encouraging people to look at their faces for one shekel... I think it's very visual, it has the child humor to it, but it also represents us all with a mirror in front of our face to see ourselves as well.”
— Mahmoud Moona [22:37]

Conclusion on Gaza Segment

The Daybreak in Gaza segment poignantly captures the essence of Gazan life, showcasing their unwavering spirit and the profound humanity that persists despite prolonged adversity. The personal stories and reflections aim to shift perspectives, encouraging listeners to see beyond the conflict and recognize the enduring love for life among Gaza’s residents.

COP29 in Azerbaijan: An Ethical Dilemma

The episode transitions to address the upcoming COP29 climate conference set to take place in Baku, Azerbaijan. Human Rights Watch representative Giorgi Gogia raises significant concerns about hosting such a pivotal event in a country with a troubling human rights record.

A. Background on COP29

COP29 is highlighted as the most important climate event of the year, with Azerbaijan, a major fossil fuel producer and exporter, as its host. The choice of Azerbaijan follows a pattern where the UN selects locations with questionable human rights practices, as seen with previous conferences in the United Arab Emirates and Egypt.

B. Human Rights Concerns in Azerbaijan

Giorgi Gogia ([27:33 – 36:05]) outlines the alarming human rights violations leading up to COP29:

• Arrests and Repressions: Dozens of civic and political activists, journalists, and NGO leaders have been arrested on dubious charges. For instance, Anar Mahmadli, a veteran human rights defender, was imprisoned after founding the Climate of Justice Initiative to critique Azerbaijan’s human rights record.

“Azerbaijan yet again is failing... It started from Eurovision song contest in 2012, it moved to European games, which Azerbaijani invented in 2016, and now COP29.”
— Giorgi Gogia [31:07]

• Suppression of Civil Society: The Azerbaijani government has systematically marginalized independent civil society, restricting free participation and imposing repressive laws that endanger local and international groups attending COP29.

• Surveillance and Intimidation: Activists warn of potential digital surveillance and crackdowns on dissenting voices during the conference.

C. Recommendations from Human Rights Watch

Giorgi Gogia emphasizes several measures the UN could adopt to mitigate these issues:

1. Transparency of Host Country Agreements: Host country agreements should be publicly accessible and include explicit human rights guarantees to ensure the free participation of civil society.

2. Support for Activists: The UN should engage with Azerbaijan to release unjustly imprisoned activists and provide protection for human rights groups attending COP29.

3. Inclusive Participation: Ensuring that diverse and independent civil society organizations can freely participate without fear of reprisal is crucial for genuine climate action.

“It's about whether we're human or not in this war... It is possible for COP29 to still go right.”
— Giorgi Gogia [36:18]

D. Implications for Future Conferences

The pattern of hosting COP events in nations with poor human rights records raises concerns about the UN’s commitment to ethical standards. The lack of robust civil society participation undermines the conference’s potential to foster meaningful climate action.

Conclusion on COP29 Segment

The discussion underscores the inherent conflict between the need for urgent climate action and the ethical implications of hosting global events in repressive regimes. It calls for the UN to prioritize human rights and ensure that COP29 serves as a platform for inclusive and unimpeded dialogue rather than a venue for political image management.

Final Thoughts

This episode of Inside Geneva illuminates the resilient spirit of Gaza’s inhabitants through Daybreak in Gaza while critically examining the ethical shortcomings of hosting COP29 in Azerbaijan. By juxtaposing the human stories from Gaza with the looming human rights issues around the climate conference, the episode invites listeners to reflect on the broader implications of global politics and humanitarian efforts.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• Mahmoud Moona [04:00]: “I was worried about my young daughters in 20 years asking me back in time when this was happening, when people were killed. What did you do about it?”

• Juliet Toomer [09:06]: “We don't want to be just a statistic.”

• Amani Shaltut [19:25]: “Education is the passport for our better future and also make us proud of our identity.”

• Giorgi Gogia [31:07]: “Azerbaijan yet again is failing... It started from Eurovision song contest in 2012, it moved to European games, which Azerbaijani invented in 2016, and now COP29.”

• Giorgi Gogia [36:18]: “It's about whether we're human or not in this war... It is possible for COP29 to still go right.”

For those interested in exploring more, consider listening to previous episodes such as "How the International Red Cross Unites Prisoners of War with Their Families" or "Why Survivors of Human Rights Violations Turn to the UN in Geneva for Justice."