Dear optimists and enthusiasts- Azerbaijan ain't improving!

If you think regime in Azerbaijan is softening on freedoms and rights issues with the amnesty of 14 political prisoners you are deeply deeply mistaken. 

First of all, it is simply the old school method of putting on a veil ahead of some international event. In the past, some described this practice in Azerbaijan as "revolving door policy". One goes out, another goes in. 14 go out, I am pretty sure, the regime will soon enough find replacements for them.

Aliyev is soon to arrive in DC for a nuclear summit, so he had to do something, the man is tired of criticism and scrutiny. So what a tired dictator does when he wants to get some of the heat off? Release some prisoners, change legislation or do something else.

All of rights watchdog community said immediately after the release that this was in no way a sign of good will. It was simply something the regime did ahead of the US visit. 

Second of all, Azerbaijan's record of complying with its responsibilities to international treaties ain't stellar. So it should come as no surprise that there is a draft bill at the parliament on executing international decisions on the protection of human rights and freedoms by Azerbaijan. If you are not sure what it means then think European Court of Human Rights. Then think about all of their decisions including the one about political prisoner Ilgar Mammadov, then insert this new draft and you will hopefully get the picture. 

Yes... Azerbaijan has no intention of improving. In fact, it is only getting worse. So to all those enthusiasts and optimists out there- spare yourselves from another disappointment and prepare for the worse.

Oh and in case you missed the news, two journalists were told they cannot leave the country last week because they had travel bans. For what and since when they have not been told. But who cares, this is Azerbaijan, where the regime does not need any explanations. 

Aliyev is suing French channel for calling him a despot

But President Aliyev is forgetting that France isn't Azerbaijan and while in Azerbaijan he can hire and buy out a whole court and prosecutor office to do as he pleases, things don't work the same way in France.

Last week, French TV aired an investigative piece (to me also work of art) about President Aliyev, his by now mastered caviar diplomacy, the country's corruption levels and poor rights record. Cash Investigation- the brain behind the show and its host, French journalist Elise Lucet was able to attend the opening gala of a photo exhibition ironically titled "Azerbaijan- the land of tolerance". Not only Lucet was able to attend the opening but she also was able to ask few questions to Mehriban Aliyev who was there (of course how could she not!) as the head of Heydar Aliyev Foundation who also happened to be the chief sponsor of the event.

Here is brief conversation:

Elise Lucet: Is your country really a land of tolerance?

Mehriban Aliyeva: Land of tolerance? Of course, it is. 

Elise Lucet: Because you have many political prisoners in jail right now in Azerbaijan.

Mehriban Aliyeva: It is not true. Just get correct information.

Elise Lucet: Do you know Leyla Yunus [repeats the question twice] or Khadija Ismayilova? They are in jail! They have been sentenced from 7.5 to 8.5 years in jail.

Needles to say, Lucet shortly after [like within seconds] was kicked all the way to the back of the crowd because security [of course] didnt like the questions. Even if Lucet tried explaining to the security that she is French journalist and that this was France the security was quick to say "This was not a press conference". He then asked her to "Please be silent [repeating it a few times] Be quiet!"

Anyhow, you can watch the whole show, and you are in luck especially if you are French speaker.

Turns out, the ruling family was unhappy about this encounter and the show so they hired Olivier Pardo to represent Azerbaijan. Padro turns to be the right person for the job. He already said the program while accusing Azerbaijan of being "strictest dictatorship" failed to present evidence. Looks like Padro also missed the whole episode or maybe didn't listen to the facts in the show. But then it is not surprising, because Padro also represented Equatorial Guinea in France in a case known as "ill-gotten gains" when anti-corruption NGOs managed to launch an investigation into the cases of three African leaders' names mentioned in large- scale fraud. Representing that case, Pardo said, "the case of the "ill-gotten gains" violated international law and that he would contest the case and pursue France through the international courts".  

Sadly that investigation didn't lead to concrete results as French Court stopped short of making a ruling saying an NGO Transparency International "could not itself bring a complaint against three African heads of state". 

Pardo's list of clients is full of "murky" figures. He also represented Imad Lahoud, computer specialist whose name popped up in an corruption investigation in France; Carlos Vejarano, the manager of the Arros Island in Seychelles, and used as tax heaven- and these are just a few based on a short google search.

So Pardo has a record of representing a certain kind of clients so it should come as no surprise he also took on the case of Aliyevs, who also fall perfectly well into this category. 

The question now is will this case actually receive any attention in France? So far French TV channel has not responded and many see this as a "warning". But warning to whom? To all international investigative organizations and independent television? 

Aliyev must really have forgotten what independent journalism is having silenced his own journalists...

Keep calm and stop worrying, President Aliyev will get to the bottom of it

President Aliyev, said he is going to closely follow up the murder of Rasim Aliyev. This is perhaps worst development because now that its president who is personally involved in the case, I fear, there wont be any justice. 

On August 10, Aliyev's aid, Ali Hasanov said "Ilham Aliyev sees the death of the journalist as direct threat and intimidation to freedom of speech and information as well as free press". 

Just for your information, President Aliyev promised to find the perpetrators when another journalist Elmar Huseynov was murdered in 2005 (just two years after Aliyev's election as the country's president). Then in 2011 when yet another journalist, Rafig Tagi died following fatal stabbing no progress was made into his case either. 

I fear President Aliyev's hearty message is a signal of yet another murder case go down in history as mystery. 

But if President Aliyev really wants to solve this mystery all he needs to do is let freedom of press, speech, and information really exist in Azerbaijan and independent journalist do their job without constant threats and beating from the police and thugs. 

Or he should simply ask himself a very basic question - when was the last time he met with independent press and why one of the country's most prominent journalists while following her right to speech freedom and freedom of information is currently on trial. Or why, do we have journalists and bloggers in jail? 

It is time to take responsibility for direct actions. Rasim's murder is the result of President and his aids' irresponsible way of ruling this country amid the atmosphere of fear, intimidation, and mafia like leadership.

And the winner in the category of ass kissing in these European Games is...

Ali Hasanov and his wife are a match made in heaven. No no, I wont be talking about their love life - disgusting. But I will talk about their "blinded love" for their "Aliyev God". Their fanatic behavior has no boundaries.

Why? Well because it is only the lowest of the low like them (and pretty much every other official working for this government) who can republish Khadija's letter written from prison and published in the New York Times on the eve of the European Games in a "slightly" readjusted wording.

In this so called letter from prison to the editors at the NY Times Khadija writes that she has been instructed by the US and that she is part of a large scale anti-Azerbaijan campaign. That she is in jail for her crimes and etc. 

But this is not surprising at all.

You see, Aliyev's minions, have done a lot to the journalists, activists, rights defenders and advocates in this country. Readers of this blog know by now well about it. From intimidation, to beating, to threats, to slander and defamation to even blackmail with sex tapes and last but not least arrests, and murder.  

But there is always room for progress. Ali Hasanov's wife, a woman of many faces, one of which calling herself an editor-in-chief of some cheap online portal publication did her best and will now get a bright golden star from President Aliyev, or from her husband, or perhaps she wont get anything at all as this line of work is part of her duties.

As if this cheap and dirty attempt was not enough, News.az- another ass kissing platform calling itself media outlet republished that letter but this time in English. Absurd! Outrageous! But hey, news.az is good - they always praise the government, write only about wonderful things that do not exist in Azerbaijan and claim to be a professional network. Professional ha! These people are disgrace to journalism.

Every day, I am baffled by how low some people are ready to fall. Just today I tried, no, I really tried, to have a conversation with my trolls. I wasted good two hours on them. But yet again, I proved myself that these are worthless creatures who do not give a spat about anything, having no respect for themselves or for this country.

Tragedies of Azerbaijan

Sadly there are many...

The fact that young man is celebrating his 20th birthday in jail today is our country's tragedy. He was jailed unjustly and now is serving a sentence that was easily handed by a judge who cared little about that man's life, and cared only about fulfilling his orders. He is our tragedy. The fact that we have this kind of corrupted, inhumane judicial system and cannot trust it, is our tragedy too.

The fact that 2 year-old boy hasn't seen his father since his birth is a tragedy. It is our tragedy that his father also bright, young and intelligent is locked up behind bars on someone's orders. Because that "someone" is afraid of people like that little boy's father, is a tragedy.

The fact that we have an elderly couple, known in the country for their valuable work is in jail for their believes and ideals is a tragedy. 

The fact that head of an independent election observation organization is in jail is our tragedy. 

The fact that we have over 90 political prisoners is our tragedy. 

The fact that police would force an older woman to testify against another person by threatening her is our tragedy. How low our police has fallen that it threatens an old woman. This is our tragedy. That we are left without any protection as we cannot trust the police, is a tragedy. 

The fact that we have liars running our country is a tragedy. The fact that we have corrupted government officials playing with our lives is a tragedy. 

The fact that we do not value those who have freed this country for the first time in 1918 is a tragedy. The fact that we have objectified certain individuals who have turned this country into a big joke is a tragedy. 

And then we have our Khojaly which too is a tragedy. The fact that we think of that day only once a year is a tragedy. The fact that we forget about it and only remember about it on its anniversary, showing those terrible images from that terrible night, cursing at everyone responsible for it is a tragedy. The fact that its used as yet another PR campaign by those who simply can is a tragedy. The fact that we cannot even let those poor souls rest in peace is a tragedy, the fact that to this day we continue using them to make gains and political statements is a tragedy.

The fact that we cannot forgive and have little compassion even to our own people is a tragedy. The fact that we cannot stand up for our rights is a tragedy. 

Today is a sad and tragic day in the history of Azerbaijan. But when we look at the bigger picture, its just one big tragedy as a whole. 

May those poor souls brutally murdered, tortured and frozen to death rest in piece.

And may we, find peace in ourselves and start recognizing all of our tragedies and not just selecting the ones that suit our interests best. These are all our tragedies that must not be forgotten or prioritized because all of these are about our own people, and one life can never be more valued over another. 

From the series of epic tweets from Ilham Aliyev

Dear manager of Ilham Aliyev's Twitter account, may I just say, your tweets are always full of so much irony. I feel sorry you have this job! 

And for the President Aliyev, I have a question - if you are as you say the country's first civil servant lets start from your salary - try living with the minimum wage for a month. Wonder if you could "provide" for your family's luxuries? Shall we give it a try? 

Civil servants are there to serve the people. I have repeatedly said that I am the first civil servant.
— Ilham Aliyev (@presidentaz) January 29, 2015

Burton's wild imagination

Nah, unfortunately it wont be Tim Burton I will be writing about. Although I wish it was. Its easier to write about true artists and talented people than about people who pretend to be knowledgeable and say some very strange things about places, people, and issues they don't really know much about (or worse, are paid to say or write). 

So here is another Burton, Dan Burton, a former Republican member of U.S. House of representatives from Indiana. 

Mr. Burton recently wrote a piece about Azerbaijan, giving it a catchy title "Why Azerbaijan is important to America and the free world?"

Turns out former Republican member knows this super great, amazing country - Azerbaijan - but thats the problem you see. There is no such Azerbaijan Burton is writing of. And here is why. 

In his piece Burton describes Azerbaijan as a country committed to religious tolerance and understanding. Hmm... Is this why few religious figures are sitting in jail? And which understanding? I am guessing just because we have some churches and synagogue its a sign of understanding? 

Moving forward, Burton writes "Tolerance in Azerbaijan is an example to the entire world". Oh my! well thats something. If the entire world would take the "tolerance" exercised in Azerbaijan as an example then sooner than later there will be more people in jail (arrested on bogus charges of course); there will be no free media left (bought by the government or ready to suck up at any cost); rampant corruption; abuse of human rights and crackdown over free voices. 

As Burton writes "Azerbaijan has taken impressive steps in just 23 years" - well if you mean mastering the crackdown, corruption, and failing at building a democracy then yes, impressive indeed! Azerbaijan has taken impressive steps in building up fear; in discouraging its own citizens; in failing at providing equal, fair and top quality education across the country; in failing to provide basic services and care of its own people! This is no big news, all it takes is visiting few villages outside of Baku Mr. Burton and you will see how "Far" and "impressive" the country has come. 

There is also something about economy too. "The economy is robust, and economic policies are aimed at improving the lives of citizens", well this is some statement. Which robust economy are we talking about here?! The one that depends solely on energy resources? Or the one that has failed so far at making this country a place where living standards are high, where people actually live and have a normal life (and don't give me that World Bank report conclusions please)! Of course this does not suit the government, why would it?! If Aliyev's cronies and himself remotely ever considered improving the lives of citizens (as Mr. Burton notes) well neither Aliyev nor his cronies would be in power right now. 

But there were few more things that really made me laugh - responsible free markets and gender equality. 

There is no such thing as free economy in Azerbaijan let alone responsible! Its all a monopoly of goods and businesses owned by very powerful men (yes men not women mind you) and of course government officials and the all mighty, his holy highness Mr. Aliyev himself.

And about that gender equality - there isn't much of it. Just because women were given a right to vote before the United States it doesn't mean women are equal in Azerbaijan. They have to fight for their rights harder, they have to prove themselves (if they ever get a chance), they have to keep on fighting to have an independent life and no, they do not get to choose often as decisions are made for them. Have you met powerful female government officials? And no, the head of the State Committee for Women, Family and Children does not count! 

So next time someone writes an apologetic piece about how great Azerbaijan is, make your research, visit the country, talk to the locals (and I mean really go and talk to the locals) and then its really up to you and your conscience. Just for the record, pieces as these do more harm for the people in this country not to mention the political prisoners, human rights defenders sentenced on bogus charges by the very same government people like Burton praise and are ready to lay.  

Oh and I just learned that Burton isn't just a former Republican member of U.S. House of representatives. He is also the chairman of the Azerbaijan America Alliance - an organization with a big name and just as big and generous of a pocket when it comes to "promoting" interests of Azerbaijan in "certain circles" and headed by the son of one of the corrupted minsters of Azerbaijan, Anar Mammadov.   

Ivanka Trump's sophisticated stilettos in a la-la land

She said, "This incredible building reflects the highest level of luxury and refinement, with extraordinary architecture inspired by the Caspian Sea and sophisticated interiors that seamlessly blend contemporary style with timeless appeal". 

She is Ivanka Trump. The incredible building she is talking about is the new Trump building that will feature 72 ultra luxury residences, 30 suites, 40 serviced apartments and 119 guest rooms. 

Mind you, this is yet another tower in the series of "towers" built in the capital of Azerbaijan over the past few years. The notorious Flame Towers, the 4 Seasons Hotel (with the most tea set I have ever paid in my life - 70AZN for a pot of tea with some sweets), the Hilton and many other luxury developments have sprung in the capital to cater for the needs of foreign guests. Because if I was pensioner in Azerbaijan there is no way I could afford that tea set at the Four Seasons for sure. 

So why the fuss?!

Hmm... for starters lets the take the fairness issue here. I mean when you look at all the recent construction boom in Baku (I am saying Baku because outside of our Dubai wanna-be capital the only thing that's constructed is Olympic Centers and maybe a few schools, which lack basics like toilet for instance or villages where there is still no sewage system and etc.) it isn't really for the local folks unless of course they are the rich (and/or famous) of Baku. 

I mean I get that we want to built a second Dubai. I get that we want to be described as the pearl of the Orient or whatever that expression is but shouldn't some basic services be fixed first. Head out of Baku (way pass the "belt of happiness") and drive South or North or straight. Visit a remote village where people still have limited access to basic services (and I am not even talking about proper roads to reach some remote villages). 

This is why, I am not getting people like Ivanka, who talk about beauty, modernity and bla bla bla when she (and others) can hardly see beyond the tip of her stilettos (and other shoes). 

And there is another side to this story. The construction partner of Ivanka's luxury refinement is Garant Holding. For those of you who don't know, here is a brief background on the company. The Chairman of the Board of Directors and the CEO of Garant Holding is Mammadov Anar, son of Ziya Mammadov, the Minister of Transportation. The company is known for its ventures in infrastructure development, construction, oil and gas production, international trade and so on. If you do not recall, two years ago, Mammadov Junior was involved in a scandal of "one mighty bear", whom he wanted to eat and ordered the restaurant owner to cook in exchange for 1million USD. Surely Mammadov denied the accusations and sued the papers which circulated the story.

But Garant is not the only family business of Azerbaijan's Minister. There is also the ZQAN holding. Radio Liberty in partnership with the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Projected published an investigative story on the company few years back revealing some more fascinating facts about family's growing empire.

You are seeing the bigger picture now? 

Who needs a school with proper functioning toilet (yes, we still have many schools across the country which resort to old methods of the Romans, Egyptians and others who were part of the grand invention) when one can enjoy the life of royals in the heart of Baku. It is so much more sophisticated and appealing.

Killing her harshly

Yea, I know that song but its not about it, or maybe it is. What I am going to share is certainly about killing but not softly in this case. In prison they either kill you immediately or harshly (well you might say harshly softly too). 

Leyla Yunus, is a prominent human rights advocate from Azerbaijan. A woman of great respect, she has done her share of service to her country.

As many of you know she has been in prison. On false charges [just like 98 other political prisoners behind bars in Azerbaijan]. 

There has been a very special treatment towards Mrs. Yunus. She has been beaten by the prison guard already. She has been harassed by her cell mate. But above all, it looks like the prison management is determined on killing Mrs. Yunus. It must be easy for them. Keep the cell without heating. Don't give the person hot water to wash. Keep the medication away and voila soon you might have a dead inmate.

She has written numerous complaints, sent statements and pleas. But to no avail. The recent statement by her lawyers says she might not survive this winter unless the facilities and treatment changes and she is given proper medical care at the hospital.  It is unlikely the prison will comply since they don't care and they are bound to what the guys with big bellies "up there" tell them to do.

So what its going to be? Killing her harshly? Or softly? Or saving face and preventing a disaster rolling over their heads?!

Congratulations! We made it to Obama's speech (despite the stutter)

Speaking at the Clinton Global Initiative Forum, President Obama named some of the most notorious countries for their crackdown on free speech and media. 

Azerbaijan too made that list, despite President Obama's stutter. So what?! Apparently, others [RU] in Azerbaijan took it as their responsibility to poke fun at this incident. Which for some if not many, probably went unnoticed. 

But all these jokes and what not are besides the actual point - Azerbaijani government cracks down on independent non-governmental organizations, individuals and journalists on an on-going basis. And no matter what our beloved government officials say to our media (none of which is free by the way) its the opposite. In fact, its like a game - whatever they say, always think the opposite. So if you hear somewhere our officials say we have freedom of speech guaranteed and rule of law provided, just think the opposite times a 100 because in reality the situation is always much worse. 

I will show you...

I think this image sums it pretty well how the authorities in Azerbaijan are responding to all of the local as well as international human rights defenders, journalists, and others who care about the deteriorating situation in Azerbaijan. And they do this openly, without any hesitation.

For the apologists of Azerbaijan's regime

Dear apologist, the video (below) is from the country you call a democracy, you call a partner, you speak of highly at meetings and events. This is from a country where 8 young innocent men were sentenced on trumped up charges for just believing in values of freedom, equality, for wanting Azerbaijan to be a true democracy and not a democracy served on a golden platter full of caviar, which you don't mind shoving in your face.

Dear international actors who have been looking the other way. You called our recent elections free and fair, you have raised no voice when honest people were put in jail. You remain silent to the daily struggles of citizens, because you get what you need in return- the resources to keep your people safe and warm. 

Dear government official, you have done your job well. You have silenced continuously those you want to be silenced. You intimidate those who are free. You instill fear in your people. You have chained your very own people and you have sucked up all the life out of them- you have created a country of robots and soulless individuals, brainwashed, afraid, not free. You have skillfully blackmailed, detained, murdered, jailed, and yet you are still considered a democracy abroad by any of your apologists (who you keep well fed, similar to brainwashing but the other way around). You have released those who belong in jail, and you have arrested those who believe in something bigger.

So, what does today leave us with... Crushed hopes, devastated families, mothers and fathers in despair, but not to worry we still have plenty of apologists of Azerbaijan who don't give a damn thing about the country's people and their chewed up rights. Oh and a country taking over the chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe. Way to go! Just sit there, silently, watching the country's free thinkers suffocate. 

N!DA

They are on their 9th day of hunger strike.

Not enough, never enough

We all know by now, that Azerbaijani authorities have a mind of their own- they come after freedom fighters, proponents of free speech, advocates of rights, opposition, youth- whoever they deem "unfit" to their typical soldier. Not only do they come after them but they sentence them under false pretenses- hooligans, drug possession, illegal arms possession, you name it. But when I read today of an underground theater shut down in Baku I realized once again- there is never a limit to what our authorities want, it is simply never enough for them! On November 23rd, the local police shut down the basement where an independent "Oda" theater recently moved. According to this article, police informed the theater actors that the local residents of the building complained of loud noise overheard during the practices. While its actors were released after giving their statements at the police station, the keys to the theater remained with the police.

So now we can add independent theaters too to the long list of "disliked" professions... I wonder how these things are decided? Someone gets up on a wrong foot in the morning, and after a short eeny, meeny, miny, moe game, a decision is made. Today it was the theater. Tomorrow it will be someone else. 

Not only has the police violated a number of constitutional provisions- private property protection, freedom to recreate, personal freedoms and more but it remains to be seen what will come out of this- probably not much. The theater will remain closed, and its actors will have to think of a new place, and maybe even a new name. 

The unlimited power will do this to you... Eventually you lose track of reality and yourself.

I wish I was a superhero

Or at least had the powers of one. As I stood there at the local precinct where I voted myself there were many moments where I wished I had some of these powers. Stuffed ballot boxes (and so many of them); carousel voting (so much of this too); and those faces of local so- called "observers". But I don't have the super powers. Nor did I manage to change anything. I just argued with CEC representatives, made them recount votes and made sure the protocols were signed properly. At least for the time I was at the precinct. Maybe they changed everything after I left. 

I saw this woman twice for instance today at the same polling station. 

And so after a long day I am sitting home, reading articles and tweets and comments and can't help myself but wonder- what will happen to my country? Aliyev in his third term (which he added himself by changing the constitution) will put more people behind bars, choke whoever left of advocates and defenders and steel more. 

Surely there wasn't much to expect from these elections- its results were rigged from the very beginning. Everyone knew about this and all that was left was for independent observers and journalists to do what they do best- advocate for justice and truth. Did we succeed? Perhaps. There were a lot of videos, updates, and proof of violation. Will any of these help to change the results? Probably not. 

We are stuck for yet another term of a dictator whose cronies are rich and filthy and do anything it takes to keep the country and its people at its knees. No one cares about the future of Azerbaijan as much as a handful of people who want to see a real change. But with these elections rigged, rights violated, there is even less of a chance to see that change. 

But we have to continue our fight for democracy and keep on believing. Margaret Mead once said "Never believe that a few caring people can't change the world. For, indeed, that's all who ever have".

p.s.: Thank you all for following the election today, for all your support, retweets, hits, and comments!

Azerbaijan Elections- who, where, when? (recommended readings)

A friend posted these on Facebook, I thought I share them here too. If you want to get up to date about the election atmosphere in Azerbaijan then check these out. 

via Rebecca Vincent: Azerbaijan’s election day is here! Here’s my recommended reading list to get up to speed:

Meydan TV - Urgent: Presidential Election Rigged. Results Pre-announced in a mobile app failure http://www.meydan.tv/+pu8ha

Access - With no votes cast, Azerbaijani election app releases ‘final’ election results https://www.accessnow.org/blog/2013/10/08/with-no-votes-cast-azerbaijani-election-app-releases-final-election-results

Op-ed by opposition candidate Jamil Hasanli for The Guardian - Azerbaijan must use this election to end the Aliyev dynasty http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/oct/08/azerbaijan-election-aliyev-dynasty-polls

Shaun Walker for The Guardian - Azerbaijan election marred by claims of corruption as dynasty looks set to win http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/oct/07/azerbaijan-elections-ilham-aliyev-allegations

Leyla Najafli for BBC News: Azerbaijan election: the pre-determined president http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-24450227?SThisFB

BBC News: Q&A: Azerbaijan's presidential election http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-24402642

RFE/RL: Aliyev May Win Reelection For Third Term, But Fourth Not A Foregone Conclusion http://www.rferl.org/content/caucasus-report-azerbaijan-election-aliyev/25130805.html

Arifa Kazimova & Daisy Sindelar for RFE/RL - In Azerbaijan's Routine Election, It's The Differences That Matter http://www.rferl.org/content/azerbaijan-election-analysis--opposition-hasanl/25129384.html

Shahin Abbasov for EurasiaNet - Azerbaijan: Putting Inauguration Ahead of the Vote http://www.eurasianet.org/node/67599?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

Miriam Lanskoy for the Carnegie Moscow Center – Azerbaijan: Opposition Unites Despite Crackdown http://carnegie.ru/eurasiaoutlook/?fa=53211

Katy Pearce & Farid Guliyev for The Washington Post - Can social media level the playing field in competitive authoritarian regimes? Azerbaijani pre-election report, part II http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/monkey-cage/wp/2013/10/07/can-social-media-level-the-playing-field-in-competitive-authoritarian-regimes-azerbaijani-pre-election-report-part-ii/

Melinda Haring & Arzu Capulcu Geybullayeva for Foreign Policy – So What About the Other 364 Days a Year? http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2013/10/08/so_what_about_the_other_364_days_a_year

Thomas de Waal for the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace – What Lies Ahead for Azerbaijan? http://carnegieendowment.org/2013/10/07/what-lies-ahead-for-azerbaijan/gpd3

Reuters - Azeri leader cracking down on foes before poll-rights group http://uk.reuters.com/article/2013/10/01/uk-azerbaijan-rights-idUKBRE9900IQ20131001

Human Rights Club - Azerbaijan: an updated list of political prisoners http://civicsolidarity.org/article/800/azerbaijan-updated-list-political-prisoners

OSCE/ODIHR Interim Report No. 2 http://www.osce.org/odihr/elections/106275

Azerbaijan: UN experts concerned by human rights restrictions, harassment of journalists http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=46193&Cr=azerbaijan&Cr1#.UlSNARa3KfQ

Amnesty International - Downward spiral: Continuing crackdown on freedoms in Azerbaijan http://www.amnesty.org/en/library/info/EUR55/010/2013/en

Human Rights Watch – Tightening the Screws: Azerbaijan’s Crackdown on Civil Society and Dissent http://www.hrw.org/node/118310

And a few of my recent pieces:

Five things Aliyev doesn’t want you to know about Azerbaijan’s presidential election http://www.indexoncensorship.org/2013/10/five-things-aliyev-doesnt-want-know-azerbaijans-presidential-election/

PACE’s failure to hold Azerbaijan accountable for its Council of Europe obligations leads to sharp increase in political arrests http://platformlondon.org/2013/10/01/paces-failure-to-hold-azerbaijan-accountable-for-its-council-of-europe-obligations-leads-to-sharp-increase-in-political-arrests/

Fundamental freedoms under attack in the run-up to Azerbaijan’s presidential election http://fpc.org.uk/articles/636

Golfing in Azerbaijan anyone?

My only experience with golf goes back to about thirteen years ago when I was on an exchange program in the States. My host parents took me to one of those mini golf attraction. And that was about it. 

Apparently now, if I really want to I can go golfing in Quba- a norther town in Azerbaijan, where a new Golf course just opened. There are 44 golf cars (that president and the first lady tested themselves), it occupies an area of 92ha, there is a gym and a cafe, and it comes with 18 holes. Oh and two artificial lakes

This is no doubt a "present" to golf enthusiasts in Azerbaijan and especially to the residents of Quba who I am sure are so curious that they are hardly keeping themselves at home to try the new sport. I even came up with a little chant for this:

On October 9th, cast your votes;
Then come to us, to celebrate,
By playing golf

I also learned that Azerbaijan now has its very own Golf Federation initiated in 2012. In November of the same year, the foundations of the future Golf Academy were laid. According to the Federation's website Azerbaijan's first ever golf team will compete in the upcoming summer Olympics scheduled to take place in 2016. The President of the Federation Anar Mammadov, believes that golf will become one of the widely played sports in the country. The Federation in addition plans to host international golf tournament in 2014. 

Its easier to open a golf course in Azerbaijan then say ensure equal rights or freedom of the pres. Ironically as the President was riding in a golf car, exploring the course, yet another journalist Parviz Hashimli was jailed. Way to go President! You do your thing like riding a golf car, while your people (that you promise to stand by an respect or at least thats what Ali Ahmadov says you do) are punished and for what? Just because they prefer to write about your offshore businesses and shell companies rather than who you met for breakfast, talked with over the phone, and yet another opening ceremony you successfully completed? This is what journalism is- reporting on issues rather than ceremonies and openings and speeches that never change anyway...

Yes, perhaps playing golf is much safer in Azerbaijan than actually saying something, and not just something but something worthwhile and honest.

How many more honest people will be placed behind bars in the run up to the election? Who knows?! Well, no of course the government knows- its creeping up from behind and snap! you are in its paws. So, a game of golf anyone?

Azerbaijan: Suits, uniforms, body ache

On March 10^th, Azerbaijani citizens came together to protest the deaths of military conscripts. Many held the photographs of a deceased young soldier, an 18-year-old conscript Ceyhun Gubadov whose initial death report said the young man died of a heart failure. The young man however was the victim of physical mistreatment. Gubadov wasn’t the first, nor is he the last conscript to lose a life in suspicious, undefined circumstances (most often hazing and abuse), which usually are covered by fake medical reports.  

Police ordered demonstrators to disperse given the rally was unsanctioned. Men in uniforms and plain clothed police however resorted to violence quickly using water cannons, rubber bullets and force in an attempt to scare the protestors. 

The poem below is about my emotions and feelings- what came out as a result of recent events at home. 

"suits and uniforms"

Making up your mind

Waking up to the reality

Slowing down the pace

Of life, of yet another sanity

I’m suffocating

These men in suits and uniforms

They mutilate me

Not physically but mentally

My body aches

From mental wounds

From their insanity

They are killing me

Gradually

They are suffocating me

Slowly

They mutilate me

Reducing living cells

Of my lucidity

I reach the point

In my life

When questioning the “suits” and “uniforms”

Makes no more sense

As they are senseless

They are still

Not physically but mentally

They hurt, they suffocate

Both physically and mentally

They say it’ll pass

But when and how

And will my body, mind and soul

Keep up the fight

The struggle

And find the strength

To see the light and day

When men in suits and uniforms no longer there

To mutilate and suffocate

To let me go

To let us go

To live a life

No longer scared,

No longer hurt

But that’s a dream,

Too far from the reality

And as I wake up

And see reality

My body aches

Not physically but mentally

And once again

I start to lose my sanity

Should we be celebrating Novruz or any other holiday as a matter of fact

I realized just now that I never shared this post on March 21st and though its few days late, I still thought i share it today, when two more activists were arrested.

***

In a true holiday spirit I should have been feeling festive today. But I wasn't. I didn't feel like posting on facebook and wishing everyone Happy Novruz. And frankly given that some of our friends are held locked up on some fabricated, made up charges just because someone wants it that way I don't see a reason to be festive.

I think given the present situation we shouldn't have celebrated anything. Whats to point to celebrate when your friends are not with you? Or your family member is locked up? Or your close one is at the court somewhere being handed a sentence?

For our government and its officials and its keen supporters there is always a reason to celebrate however. Unlike us, the citizens, they are safe. They are happy. They are untouchable, no one dares to anger them. 

And even if someone does remotely anger them, its all easily dismissed, shaken off like the dust from the shoulders of a jacket. 

So yes, Azerbaijani government has plenty of reasons to celebrate, but we don't... Not this time...

More members of N!DA arrested today

Two more members of N!DA Civic Movement were arrested today. Rashadat Akhundov and Uzeyir Mammedli were accused under article 228.3 of the Criminal Code for firearm violations. They too like other previously arrested members of the movement are facing between 5 to 8 years of imprisonment. 

For more updates follow here and here.