"Some countries change mindsets of our students"

This quote title of the post is dedicated to Azerbaijan's Minister of Education- Misir Mardanov- who believes that when choosing a country for studying abroad, one must be careful, because some of these countries, change mindsets of Azerbaijani students.

"We insist to send our students to Germany, China, Singapore because we know that these countries wont influence our kids' thinking based on these countries' political orientation". Of course, the most interesting part of this statement is that the Minister never pins down to any of such "brainwashing" countries.

In this case, what seems to be worrying Mr. Mardanov is not only where Azerbaijani students choose to go but also what they learn. Well, perhaps someone should wake Mr. Mardanov up, and explain him that maybe if education system in Azerbaijan was better (which means minister and his team putting more effort into existing system- and that doesn't just end with installing computers to high schools where there is no electricity anyway!) there would be less demand to go abroad?

Yes, Mr. Minister, educational reform is not just about computers! Its about schools in villages where there is electricity and heating. Its about teachers wanting to come to school everyday and teach something new, instead of thinking about how much money they should demand off their students. Its about students enjoying school not because they can buy their way through it but because they can learn and explore boundaries of their knowledge. Its basically about everything that Azerbaijani students look for as they search for schools abroad.

And you can sleep well at night Mr. Minister, because even if an Azerbaijani student who chooses to go to China, Singapore or Germany, he/she will still return with extended knowledge on philosophy, literature, math, chemistry and other fields not because these countries brainwash these students, but because what You might be calling "brainwashing" and "influencing" is in fact simply called learning, teaching and exploring...

New hopes or yet another brick in the wall?

On December 17th, European Parliament adopted a resolution on Azerbaijan's freedom of expression (Full text is available here).

"The resolution should be considered as a warning and call for Azerbaijani authorities not to build any doubts about the line chosen by Azerbaijan- if it made its choice for a European direction" said former Lithuanian President Vytautas Landsbergis regarding adopted resolution.

Azerbaijan is a member of the Council of Europe and so it should and must abide by the council's obligation. The situation with the freedom of expression and human rights been deteriorating in the country over the recent years and 2009 was no exception. A number of negative developments this year- referendum, controversial amendments to the NGO law, arrest of young bloggers Emin Milli and Adnan Hajizada- are evidence to the worsening situation in the country.

Adopted resolution calls for an immediate release of Eynulla Fatullayev, journalists sentenced to 8 years of imprisonment and both above mentioned bloggers. The two were sentenced to 2 and 2.6 years of imprisonment based on hooliganism charges. Many in the capital however, argue that their arrest had nothing to do with hooliganism and that the whole incident was staged simply to silence free voices.

An Estonian MEP- Tunne Kelam during the session expressed his concern with the situation on the ground: "the widespread practice of harassment, prosecution, and conviction of opposition journalists [in Azerbaijan] is alarming [...] We call on Azerbaijani authorities to release the journalists in jail without further delay. This concerns also two young bloggers".

There has been no official statement regarding the resolution yet. It shouldn't come as a surprise if its heavily criticised. Official Baku already dismissed rankings and reports of such international institutions as Freedom House and Human Rights Watch as groundless and one-sided.

A night of jazz in the city of winds

She is standing on the stage, dressed in an eloquent dress. She is holding the microphone, head slightly leaned to the side. Her eyes are closed and yet it feels like she is watching the whole world. Its another Friday night at the Jazz Center in Baku.

She slightly opens her eyes, lifting up her gaze and finishes the song. The crowd is applauding and whistling. As always, she has done it again- giving everyone an unforgettable evening of real quality jazz.

Her name is Ulviyya, though friends call her Ula. Young and very talented, Ula performs at the Jazz Center every Friday. I have seen her sing many times before and yet every time I am there to listen to Ula, its new and fresh as if I am there for the very first time.

So for all those who follow this blog and live in Baku and if you haven't been at the Jazz Center I strongly suggest you do. The ambiance is great. The venue was refurbished over the summer. Prices are mediocre. The bill includes the price for the concert. Food is ok, nothing special or complicated. But at the end of the day none of this really matters (though the venue does), when you hear Ula sing, you forget everything and simply enjoy the music, rhythm, and the colors that Ula so successfully sets once she is on stage.

***Jazz Center is located behind the State Music Academy

"Azerbaijan has more freedom of speech than Germany and France"

While the saga of Emin and Adnan might have ended with the final verdict made on Wednesday last week (November 11), the reactions to the arrest continue. A number of international institutions such as Committee to Protect Journalists, OSCE, Council of Europe, US State Department, Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, Reporters Without Borders, Freedom House and many others expressed their concerns regarding the verdict, finding it "groundless", demanding an "immediate release" and etc.

It didn't take long for the government of Azerbaijan to come up with their own response. In fact, heavy criticisms were made towards foreign institutions. A statement appeared in newspapers yesterday from the Deputy Foreign Minister Vagif Sadigov to the statements issued by Norwegian and German Embassies in Azerbaijan. In his response to the international statements, Sadigov stressed his surprise and pity, nothing that the court was held according to Azerbaijani laws and procedures (which are indeed perfect on paper but not so much in practice) adding that all the hearings were transparent and reflected in media. Deputy further noted that the statements were received as groundless and affect relations between Azerbaijan and these two countries negatively.

The chief of public and political department of the Presidential Administration, Ali Hasanov's statement on November 16 however was really the icing on the cake. In his press statement Hasanov noted that the "Judicial system in Azerbaijan is independent and executive authorities cannot influence its decisions [...] Azerbaijani laws are applied equally to all citizens and we do not make distinction between those who are closer to the West and all the others" (even though the judge at the court, failed to evaluate evidence suggesting Babek and Vusal's - alleged "victims"- clear involvement and their crime- so the law clearly didn't apply to them) [...] Azerbaijan has more freedom of speech than such European countries as Germany and France".

Perhaps tomorrow or very soon, Honorable Mr. Hasanov will say that Azerbaijan has no human rights problems, no corruption (according to most recent Transparency International Report for 2009, Azerbaijan was worse off among its neighbors with 2.3 rate (0- worse off; 10- no corruption), gull equality, freedom and liberty.

Nobody knows, but this has definitely been a year of surprises so perhaps we will have many more to come.

The Verdict

Today (nov 11 2009) sometime around 13.00 Baku time Adnan Hajizada (26) and Emin Milli (30) were sentenced to 2 and 2.6 years respectively. The hearing was held at an unusual hour (or more so changed deliberately so as to have small turnout) given until today all the hearings were held in late afternoon- in fact, the change in time was only announced yesterday and so many- including international observers- expected to be at the court at 15.00 not 10.30. Perhaps there was a reasoning behind that- I don't know... But it was indeed the final hearing as many supporters in Baku and elsewhere thought.

Today the government of Azerbaijan once again proved that it can do whatever it wants - all the evidence presented at the court was neglected. It showed that it doesn't care about what international organizations/institutions/individuals say/demand/ask/call upon - for the last four months international institutions appealed to the governmet to release activists. Today we saw that there is no justice - the final verdict is case in point.

Yes, we all were angered,frustrated, saddened and annoyed by the final sentence and I believe most of us still are. I knew nothing good was going to come out of this but having to witness all of this in real life was not easy.

But this is not an end, this is only the beginning. Don't forget "future is what we do know" and that "in order to change the society we must first change ourselves"!

Today at the end of the hearing, Emin said he is feeling proud and thats why he is ready to accept the verdict given to him. Though his speech was short, he called on the audience to use all means possible- internet (blogs, facebook, youtube); sms- to spread the reality of the situation in the country regarding freedom, justice and their case. Adnan, questioned how alleged witnesses will look into the eyes of their families- we will be done with our sentences but I wonder how they are going to live a life built on lies... He called on youth to continue changing themselves and working together for a better Azerbaijan. They both showed their strength to us, and so we must do the same in return!

*** 

For those who want to read more on the case/Emin/Adnan/Ol and AN see the following:

- follow #eminadnan on Tweeter;

- ol-az.blogspot.com

- http://www.youtube.com/user/olmedia

- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EL4IkKmPaes

- http://www.antv.ws/

JJ

About a little over a year ago, I was skyping a friend living and working in Baku. The topic of our discussion that day was finding a name for my blog you are currently reading. It took us a while but at the end, "flying carpets and broken pipelines" was created.

This friend's name is Jake Jones and currently he is the Country Director of International Republican Institute (IRI) in Baku. And so I would like to dedicate this post to Jake. 

We first met back in 2007 when I was just starting my work in Azerbaijan as an analyst and IRI was one of the first international organizations my colleague and I met during our first trips. Soon Jake and I developed a friendship which grew into a strong bond that I hope continues for a long time. 

About two weeks ago, I learned that IRI was shutting down its branch in Azerbaijan because of funding issues. Knowing how much importance Jake attached to his work in Azerbaijan, I instantly knew that he wasn't happy. But he wasn't alone. Days later, a Facebook page was opened to support IRI. The group now has 690 members- everyone who knows IRI, or worked with IRI or took part in their seminars is there, showing their support and calling USAID to keep the institution in the country. 

I have never met a person so interested in the region. He learned the language, traveled the country and gets on well with everyone. When Emin and Adnan were arrested, he was there to support and help in any way he could. When on May 10th half of our mutual friends were taken into a police station in front of our eyes, he was the first one to inform the embassy and make sure that there were representatives at the police station. All of this is only a small portion of what Jake and IRI has done in Azerbaijan, which also involves endless trainings and seminars held all over the country.

People come and go in Azerbaijan but rarely there are people who actually take their time and make a huge effort in learning the language, getting to know the culture, and blend with all the locals instead of keeping their distance. Jake is one of such people and his work as a Country Director at IRI is important and does make a difference in a country where there is a need for "know how" when it comes to everything and anything.  

So for what it is worth, at the end of the day it doesn't matter who you are- republican, democrat, leftist, socialist- what matters is how you present yourself and what you do because the rest are simply labels. IRI presented itself as an institution investing in the country and hoping to have made an impact (among other international institutions working in the country). It would be a loss for Azerbaijan to see IRI leave so please USAID (if anyone there is reading this blog) let them stay and do their job because they are worth it!

***

There seems to be a general misunderstanding that IRI didn't make any proposals for its next year activities in the country. It is NOT true, IRI DID propose. In fact there are local partners who can SUPPORT and JUSTIFY for this.

Time goes by...

Its been 4 months since Emin and Adnan's arrest- time goes by but somethings simply don't change. Its already November, boys were sentenced in July. There are less people in front of the court, but those who come still keep up positive atmosphere- they applause when both Emin and Adnan leave the court. Adnan and Emin smile seeing the support. 

No one is aware of the consequences and eventual outcome of these trials. Will they get a sentence or set free? I opt for the second but thats just me and possibly many other friends and supporters. 

Time goes by but some things don't change- Azerbaijan steadily descending into a world of limited freedom of speech, mass violations of human rights, authoritarianism and backwardness. International institutions as Freedom House and Human Rights Watch call the situation in Azerbaijan deteriorating. And it is clear why. In March 2009, President of Azerbaijani Republic, Ilham Aliyev manage to secure a presidency for "life" by scrapping two - term limit to presidency in a landslide Referendum. In addition to securing suspension of presidential elections if the country is at war.

4 months later, in June, the government tried to pass a series of critical amendments to the existing legislation on NGOs, seriously impeding their activities. The most controversial amendment, among a number of others was requirement that non- government organizations, limit their foreign funding to 50 percent, which would have led to basically half if not more NGOs based in Azerbaijan violate the new law. Luckily and I do mean luckily, the most critical amendments were left out. It was a victory for many civil society representatives given a rare moment of managing to win over the government.

But happiness and sense of victory slowly disappeared as in July, two youth activists- Emin Milli (30) and Adnan Hajizada (26) were arrested and charged with "hooliganism" and are now facing up to 5 year of imprisonment. They didn't do anything- they were attacked by two men who are now treated as "victims" and are set free while Emin and Adnan are spending their time behind bars. But they are keeping their chin up. In a recent Facebook post by Nigar Fatali, she said she managed to speak to Emin Milli who suggested reading a book on the life of Muhammed. They are reading, that is their way out to freedom. 

Ever since 2003, media in Azebraijan is ranked "non free" (see Freedom House report 2009). In Azerbaijan, it has become a popular exercise  to punish critical journalists with imprisonment, large fines, accusations of their involvement in terrorism, drug trafficking and what not. A number of critical newspaper journalists been arrested and the murder of Elmar Huseynov- editor- in- chief of popular opposition magazine Monitor - remains unresolved. He was brutally murdered in front of his apartment. Azerbaijan is the country with highest number of arrested journalists among OSCE member states. 

A journalists based in Baku working for a local newspaper sites an Azerbaijani proverb: “pisi gormesen, yaxshisinin deyerini bilmirsen” (if you haven’t seen the worse, you wont understand the value of good) saying that now they understand the difference between past and current president- then was a democracy compared to what is going today.

Reporters Without Borders (RSF) rank Azerbaijan in their 2009 report 146 out of 175 in "Press Freedom Barometer" as well as including the President on the list of "media predators". The government exercises full control over the National Television and Radio Council (NTRC) even though according to one of the commitments it undertook while becoming member of the Council of Europe was granting full freedom and independence to the NTRC. 

In December of last year, the government or the NTRC (doesn't really matter here) banned foreign radio stations- BBC, VoA, RFE/RL- from broadcasting on local FM frequencies.

Looking back it makes one wonder will there ever be a change? Will people actually enjoy their lives rather than worry about making extra money to feed their families? Will our youth be able to study in corruption free universities and actually get a descent education? Will people be happy again? For now, there is only one answer, time will show so let it go by but be patient and hopefully we, or our children, or our grand children will see that change...