When rape and fear is your only weapon (part 2)

The atrocities committed in Azerbaijan's detention centers- this needs to be mailed to every single apologist of Azerbaijan in order for them to understand the kind of the regime they are applauding and wanting to keep around for the sake of "stability". 

"They chained my hands from behind and then started beating me with batons. They punched me with their fists and legs. And when I started screaming from pain they taped my mouth", recently detained youth activist Bayram Mammadov wrote in a letter that was passed by his lawyer.

"I was brought to the chief's room where 7 or 8 civilian dressed men were waiting for me. They punched me, they slapped me on the face. They were demanding I tell them why I drove that graffiti and who I was in cohorts with. They beat me continuously. I eventually lost consciousness, I couldn't hear anything from all the beating".

"When I told them I have never even seen drug substance, they told me they cannot just arrest me for drawing graffiti. This upset them so they beat me harder. They threatened me they would rape me with police baton. So I had to tell them I did use drugs. I did everything they told me and wrote a letter. Then they told me that if I apologize from the statue, lay flowers and do all of this in front AzTV cameras they would let me go".

"When I refused to do so they continued to beat me."

Apologise form the statue! Now!

May 10, the annual Flower Day celebrations/aka lets celebrate dead president's birthday event go by this year with not much grandiose and extravagant spending. 

Then police discovers graffiti on the statue of the dead president. "F*** the system" someone has written and then the annual quote "Happy Slave Holiday". In Azerbaijan flower means "gül" [gyul] and slave means "qul" [gool]. The slave variation became a popular expression soon after the Flower Day began to be celebrated in Azerbaijan. 

Millions of Manats were spent on each holiday with flowers imported from all over the world. One MP at some point said it cost the country 14-15millionAZN [before devaluation that was approximately the same amount of millions in EUR]. The flowers would be assembled in few parks. There were also concerts and fireworks. Sometimes I even wondered whether Baku Mayor was actually celebrating president's death. 

But back to 2016 and the missing N!DA activists. 

So the two activists went missing May 10. On May 11 their whereabouts were still unknown. 

May 12, we heard from them. The two were being prosecuted for illegal drug possession [not the first time we see this charge used against activists in Azerbaijan]. And as if charges and 4 months detention isn't enough, the two are actually told to go and apologize in front of the dead president's statue. So they are supposed to stand in front of the statue, with state TV cameras filming all of this theater and ask the statue to forgive them? Seriously?!

What I don't understand is that if their crime is drug possession then why are they even told to go and apologize in front of the statue anyway?

Well, this is of course a rhetorical question. We all know the answer. Because it is all theater of the absurd.

N!DA activists OUT, N!DA activists IN

If you at any point, thought release of Azerbaijan's 14 political prisoners, suspension of sentences of Intigam Aliyev, Rauf Mirkadirov and permission to leave Azerbaijan granted to couple Leyla and Arif Yunus by the regime in Baku was a sign of progress, you were deeply deeply mistaken. It was not. Perhaps a sign of back door diplomacy working wonders yes, perhaps a sign of exchange of favors yes, but certainly, definitely and with full assurance NOT a sign president Aliyev and his government has any intention to become good all of a sudden.

Why? Well lets start from a criminal case launched against Meydan TV shortly after president Aliyev returned from his successful trip to Washington DC. Then there was another notice- 15 journalists  named in the investigation case against Meydan TV. Several current political prisoners motions for release and/or house arrest were dismissed by local courts and so on. 

And just yesterday there were news of two N!DA activists being detained. Hours after their detention their whereabouts are not known, their family and friends have not heard of them. Why? Because the government of Azerbaijan can do it. Because there are no checks and balances and because they hate, literally despise anyone who stands out and commits any act of disobedience. 

Bayram Mammadov and Giyasaddin Ibrahim were detained allegedly for writing "Fuck the System!" [in English] and "Happy Slaves Day!" [In Azerbaijani "Qul Bayraminiz Mubarek" ahead of Gul Bayrami or Flower Day celebrations] on a statue of Heydar Aliyev. May 10 is celebrated as Flower Day but also as President Heydar Aliyev's birthday. Since 2009, the government spent millions on celebrating this holiday bringing in flowers from all over the world and throwing them away two days later. This year however, as a result of the escalation on the front line and deaths of Azerbaijani service men, there was a symbolic celebration planting flowers. 

Strangely while the government pays its respects to the military personnel it did not do the same when ten days before the first celebrations of the Flower Day in 2009 there was an attack at the State Oil Academy killing more than a dozen of students and professors according to official data. 

So where does this all leave us?! Well, where we see that nothing has really changed in Azerbaijan and that official Baku's revolving door policy used against its critics is very much alive. And if the government is so much about respecting the dead, then we should cancel Azerbaijan's participation in Eurovision song contest, the Formula 1 race, and all other upcoming celebrations until we resolve all our troubles. 

This of course is called wishful thinking...

Statue saga continues: Mexico says no, Azerbaijan says $$$

In this day and age, its not the skills of a politician, or his/her ability to make sound decisions and guide country's foreign policies that matter. No, in the 21st century, its bronze statues and park renovations that matter the most. Or at least it matters for Azerbaijan and its leadership.

I am sure you all remember the scandal (an embarrassing diplomacy if you ask me) over a statue at a park in Mexico. Back then, there were a lot of nervous breakdowns, feet stomping and cranky messages. The threats went as far as to pulling out the diplomatic mission in the country (this would have been a first. Countries pull out their missions when there is a terrorist threat, or another serious political condition, but shutting down an embassy because a statue of a former leader was removed from a park?!)

But now that the "time-out" period passed there have been new developments. Azerbaijan's ambassador to Mexico Ilgar Mukhtarov informed its audience during a lecture that the January decision to clear the statue (mind you, the map behind the statue remained as well as the name of that section of the park) cost Mexican government around $3.8billion worth in investments.

At least the threats got "bumped up in values" but given that Mexico is approximately one hundred million times bigger than Azerbaijan (its population is estimated to be 118,395,054 in 2013) Azerbaijan's "investment" might not even budge the country that much. 

Long story short, its interesting to see that the story resurfaced and that its clear that Azerbaijani government simply cannot accept that some governments wont pick up its bait no matter how big $$$ it is. 

Post flower day- millions spent on few hours of show and then...

When I saw this video I felt terribly sad for the people there- tearing apart flower decorations brought to the country just for one day, in fact few hours for a show that cost millions of Azerbaijani Manats- to celebrate the birthday of the late president. 

Were they doing it because they hated it? I doubt. Were they doing it because they just wanted some free flowers? Probably. 

Instead, perhaps Administrative Authorities could have organized a day of people in Azerbaijan, open food stalls for the poor, assist those families who are in need, pay extra that month to teachers, doctors, and other state employees- all of this still could have been done in the name of the late president if thats the aim- to commemorate, to pay respect- at least, they could have done something to commemorate the tragedy of April 30th, the shooting at the state oil academy and done something nice for the veterans on Victory Day on May 10th. But I guess none of this would look as grand as the Flower Day...

Once upon a time in Mexico

I was lucky to be able to visit the park where the statue of Heydar Aliyev once stood in Mexico City. Here are few snapshots of what is left.

In case you didn't know, Azerbaijan is also the sports power in the world

Oh yeah, this is a first. Or at least for me as I have heard many things we are "number one" in the world for but in sports, that is a first for me. 

In a statement by Mubariz Gurbanli, deputy executive secretary of the ruling Yeni Azerbaijan Party, few other things were noted. Surely, late president was not omitted and so wasn't his son (how could that be?!). Gurbanli noted Azerbaijan's growing influence in the world in all spheres of life including sports "Azerbaijan is seen as a sports power in the world". 

A message to Azerbaijan's "enemy" too was thrown among the lines "Azerbaijan's achievements in sport are further evidence of the ideological victory of the country over the enemy".

I am happy to hear we have an up- and- coming sportsmen and women competing at world's sporting events, but to say we are "the best" simply ain't right. There are far better countries whose athletes are much better than ours. No need to exaggerate, we just need to take a look at Olympic game stats. But then, exaggeration is what our officials to best. They just loooooooove to say things like this.

Similarly, I came across this photo shared today on Facebook that pretty much says, Azerbaijanis were also very much involved in discovery of the United States :)

Azerbaijan's textbook for 8th graders

Rough translation: During America's discovery, accomplishments of Azerbaijani science were instrumental. First of all, before Columbus discovered America, 200 years prior, Azerbaijani scientist, N. Tusi's calculations already indicated existence of the mainland. On the other hand, Columbus's teacher Toskanelli, was aware of Tusi's work and learned much from him. It is without doubt that Toskanelli taught Columbus the knowledge he learned from Tusi. Therefore, Azerbaijani science played a big role in discovery of America.

Mexico says good bye to the statue of Heydar Aliyev- at least for now (updated)

Its been a while since Mexican authorities ordered removal of late president Heydar Aliyev's statue from one of its key parks. Angered Azerbaijani authorities made many promises and even threatened Mexican government that there will be consequences for their actions (one of which was the closer of the embassy but that never happened). On November 7th, Azerbaijan's Ambassador to Mexico, said official Baku postponed its plans to invest in projects (estimated value of $3.8billion) in Mexico. Uhmm... give me break?! What a great diplomatic move on behalf of Azerbaijani government. Looks like its still kindergarten play time. 

Yesterday (January 26th) as protestors in Baku took the streets in solidarity with residents of Ismayilli to call for an end of use of violence against unarmed civilians, a miracle happened. The statue of Heydar Aliyev that was placed at the park in Mexico, was removed. Right now, the Mexico City Mayor office is negotiating with the Azerbaijani embassy in Mexico a place where the statue could be placed instead. 

As officials negotiate, at least the people of Mexico can continue enyoying their park freed (for now) of one dictator.

Monument diplomacy

Yes, its going to be about THAT monument again. You see, it just doesn't stop fascinating me, really. Just today, I came across another article (thanks to a friend of mine who shared it) where my conclusions of just how "strong" and "deep" Azerbaijan's diplomatic relations with its neighbors are, were confirmed. In a press statement Azerbaijan's ambassador to Mexico, Ilgar Mukhtarov stated:

If Ebrard (Mexico's Mayor) decides to remove the monument, we will CANCEL the projects, CLOSE the embassy, it would HURT the relationship between the two countries, and it WOULD NOT BE GOOD for his image to be the person who prevented a USD4billion investment

So not only Ambassador Mukhtarov shows how shallow the essence of our diplomacy is (lets face it, removing a monument of a dictator shouldn't play such an important role in foreign policy but who knew it would?!), he goes much further as to threaten the Mayor of Mexico as well. And wait, there is even more to it, by saying that Mexico will lose the USD4bn investment demonstrates in which ways and "deals" Azerbaijani government "invests" in other countries.

Not sure what softened Mr. Mukhtarov's tone a while later, but whatever it was it didn't make his next statement any less appalling: "his government [Azerbaijan] was prepared to negotiate with the city and find a "friendly" solution to the dispute". 

Now, don't know who nudged our Ambassador, but who ever did it didn't do too good of a job. That nudge should have been a strong shake. But too late now anyway. Still talking about "negotiating" and finding not just a solution but a "friendly" one. And what does that suppose to mean? That Azerbaijani government will offer to renovate another park? Alas, have mercy on your people Mr. President, because you still have the hungry children and many other issues that are awaiting your immediate attention not to mention a drizzle of some of that oil money you are spending elsewhere abroad for park renovations and monuments.

And what is the so- called "dispute"? If the people and the Mayor do not consider the monument fit, why are still even discussing it? Its Mexico's decision! Our government is so much used to meddling with its own people's decisions and their businesses that it considers everywhere and everyone to be the same...

I am just curious to see where this monument diplomacy will end...

New kind of diplomacy: no monuments, no relations!

Looks like priorities of the Azerbaijani government in building diplomatic relations are really shifting. According to this New York Times article Azerbaijani authorities are ready to mess their foreign policy based on a statue.

Perhaps not many of you know but part of the country's diplomatic relations building skills is based on investing heavily (talking millions here) in park renovations and presenting of monuments of the late President Haydar Aliyev as "presents" that accompany the new parks.

This might have worked in other counties where public reaction was always limited or non existent but not in Mexico. Many in Mexico were left puzzled seeing the statue of an ex-KGB general placed in a park next to some well known and historical figures as Gandhi and Abraham Lincoln.

What's surprising here is however how easy apparently it is for the local Azerbaijani government to "damage" it's foreign relations- if the statue goes in Mexico, so will the diplomatic relations between the two countries. Is it that simple? Do no international political relations and rules apply any longer? Our government will really close the embassy in Mexico if the statue is removed?

But the real burning question is then how will the Azerbaijani authorities explain this "sourness" once the statue is removed. I guess we'll just have to wait and see...

Big Brother is watching you!

I wish I had this image when I was putting together previous post on Orwell's book 1984. But its never too late. So here it is:

H.Aliyev is watching you!

A little thank you note to @Turanoza on Twitter for sharing this.

Lets just call it spending money on flowers

Though I am few days late with this post, I still wanted to share some thoughts on the well- known by now Flower Day held in Baku. The day as some of you already know is dedicated to Azerbaijan's late President, Heydar Aliyev (also for those who don't know, the father of the current president). As a "token" (you will see why its symbolically in quotation marks later) of appreciation, his son, Ilham Aliyev, announced in 2009, that May 10th, will be the Flower Day held to celebrate the birthday of Aliyev senior. And so, the spending spree began. 

As if, Azerbaijan has nowhere else to spend its wealth (like education, social care, healthcare, and I could go on) and as if, the country is doing just fine with all its infrastructural developments (like having provided gas and electricity to all regions and villages of Azerbaijan, having sorted out sewage and trash issues across the country and I could still go on) our beloved, generous, official government began allocating the "tokens" or in another words, millions of Azerbaijani manats to host this day of joyous celebrations. 

Since 2009, flowers of different sorts are imported to Azerbaijan to decorate Haydar Aliyev National Park and literally dress the whole park in flowers. I actually remember well the first Flower Parade. I was in Baku at that time and had the "honor" to see the park and snap few photographs. I just waned to capture that day as a proof of yet another initiative of wasted money (flowers are thrown away obviously, hence the conclusion, millions down the drain, its simple math). A year later, once again we celebrated Flower Day and so on and so forth.

Now this year, Baku city administration decided to add more spice to the celebrations. They have designed three giant air balloons with of course portraits of Haydar Aliyev on them attached to a boat (sailing boat). In an interview with local press, the city mayor proudly spoke of this year's magnificent show. Flowers were brought from Germany, France, Italy, Brazil with designers working 24/7 to complete re-decoration of the park just in time he was saying in an interview. And then he adds, smiling "I assure you, he is looking at us [referring to H. Aliyev's portrait of flowers] and smiling. I am telling you. For me personally, this is the greatest honor" (The full interview in text available here and video here- both are in AZ). No worries mr. mayor, the only thing looking at you that day was the heating sun and all those sane people who understand the absurdity of this holiday. The rest were... well... happy to be there probably not even knowing why they are there (trust me there are people who go just to see the flowers unaware why those flowers are actually there, but thats another story).

This video report [AZ] provides more detailed info about that day. According to the video, a group of young activists, held a protest to mock the flower day. Their poster read- "we don't need flowers, we want democracy". 

Perhaps one day we are going to have more people understanding that indeed we do not need flowers. What we need instead is a democracy! I am just going to call this flower parade for now a democracy day- hoping that one day we are going to celebrate a true democracy festival in Azerbaijan!

When parks at home don't suffice

We all know by now how much Azerbaijani authorities love building parks, re-opening old ones, renovating others all either named after late President Aliyev, or have his statute. We also know that this phenomenon doesn't just exist in Azerbaijan, that there are parks like in the capital of Georgia, Tbilisi, carrying late President's name and his bust. 

So here is another piece of news for you, according to RFE/RL's Balkan Service, Azerbaijani government will pay approximately 2million euros for renovation of a park in Belgrade with late President's statue erected there too. Isn't this marvelous?! We should all embrace this awesome initiative and take pride in such decision! 

2 million euros?! I can't even imagine what one can do with that money at home. But once again, who cares, as long as there are monuments and busts of late President, current president and anyone from the Aliyev's family, its alright! Who cares about the rest...

***
There is one in Romania too.

Yet another 'Flower Holiday'

In lest than two weeks, Azerbaijan will celebrate its 4th 'Flower Holiday'. It began four years ago, when local authorities decided to commemorate late President Aliyev on his birthday with this holiday. But it was never a simple holiday.

Different speculations are made each year as to how much money is spent on this holiday, but one figure always hits the media- millions. Brought either from Holland or somewhere else in the world, the flowers receive special care by gardeners like Ruslan Aliyev who spends hours on end watering, cleaning, and caring for the them. He says they need special attention, and thats what he does.

And each year, thousands of residents are either forced or come on their own to the park named after Haydar Aliyev to take a look at the flowers, take photos, have their ice creams or sun flower seeds and go home, for yet another time, not questioning the essence of this, not even one simple question: is it making their lives any better? I wonder if these people do the same on April 30th every year too, for some reason I doubt they do.

This article [AZ] published by Radio Azadliq (Radio Liberty Local Service) explores the upcoming holiday while paying a visit to heavily guarded park. Right now, no one is allowed, and the park is sealed from all the entrances.

Organized by the Baku city executive committee, the celebrations will continue throughout the day with fireworks held later in the evening. And this happens every year, including the year when just 10 days before the celebration, people died in one of the universities in Baku. Young men and their professors were shot but who cared?! Celebrations continued in their full even then. So nothing can stop Azerbaijani authorities from having their own fun, because at the end of the day, who cares about the rest...

BP, Azerbaijan, spies, oil and some other secrets revealed

The video below is shocking and in a way not so shocking investigation about Azerbaijan, its oil, BP and other actors involved in Azerbaijan's oil boom and its slip to authoritarian dictatorship.

'Generation Facebook: Emin, Adnan, and the Future of Dissent in Azerbaijan'

Much has been said and written about Azerbaijan, its failure to meet democratic standards and treat its citizens justly. Numerous international reports been published, statements made, warnings sent. But none had any effect on this country of 8.6 million population rich in oil and gas. If all goes the way it is, nothing will change in Azerbaijan and free voices will be further silenced, punished and crushed.

However, Azerbaijani youth, its "Facebook Generation" is advocating change, despite it all. European Stability Initiative, a Berlin based think tank looks at this and other nuances of Azerbaijan's popular dissent and political development through several prisms of politicians, youth and international organizations. Starting from the birth of Azerbaijan's first Democratic Republic in 1918, and ending with arrests of Emin Milli and Adnan Hajizada, contested Referendum, and 2010 parliamentary elections, this report explores the debts of the popular rhetoric on democratic developments and the role international organizations such as the Council of Europe can play and yet has failed so far.

Ladies and gentlemen, with no further a due, I would like to present here the ESI 2011 Azerbaijan report 'Generation Facebook: Emin, Adnan, and the Future of Dissent in Azerbaijan'.

Generation Facebook in Baku - 15March2011

Teaching loyalism

I came across this image on Facebook. Taken at one of the schools in Azerbaijan, students demonstrate their "love and loyalty" to Heydar Aliyev. I wonder what they teach these kids at school?! 

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1821591339331

&set=a.1426637905742.59856.1226618491

Dear Mr. President...

Dear Mr. President,

Why do I feel like you hate us- the youth of Azerbaijan, who is educated, creative, talented and smart?

Why do young Azerbaijani students need to suffer in universities, just because their teachers demand money?

Why is it, that the prestige of a university is measured not by the education it gives but how much an exam costs?

Why is it that every time when I think of our government, I can't think of good enough reasons to protect and respect my country?

Why is it, that when talking of our history, of first independent Azerbaijan of 1918 that we all take so much pride in and of great figures as Mammad Amin Rasulzade, I find myself surrounded by streets, parks, avenues, statues dedicated to our late President- Heydar Aliyev and other members of your family?

Why is it, that in the place where Rasulzade's statue was supposed to stand, there is a fountain?

Dear Mr. President,

Why do you think that we are the threat to you and your government?

Have you tried talking and listening to us? Hearing great ideas we have? After all, we did study international relations, management, political science, economics, law, and many other academic fields to be useful for our countries and make it a better place?

Dear Mr. President,

Why is it always has to be "us" vs. "them" ("you")? Why are we threatened or have to spend our youth in prison cells while actual criminals are free and enjoy their careless lives?

Why is it, when one of us, wants to go abroad, we have to defer our offers because the government refuses to sponsor some of us because of our views?

Dear Mr. President,

I like the new Baku, but I don't agree that we need to demolish old buildings- thats also our history. I like the new clean buildings, but I don't like walking in the street and inhaling all that stone sand that comes off the buildings during renovation. I like the new parks but I don't think its right to remove statues- don't you think its also part of our history?

And lastly, Dear Mr. President,

I know you don't like when others tell you what to do and when others criticize things you do, but perhaps, you are simply not aware of it (so maybe if I write it here, now, you will know and take some measures to deal with it), majority of people are suffering in this country but simply are too afraid to talk and say what they want to say because their salaries are low or their pensions are not enough.

As a citizen of this country, there is nothing more than me wanting to see Azerbaijan become a better place, where people can talk freely, act independently, write passionately, and live without fear! I still have some hopes, I hope these hopes only grow stronger rather than fade away and remain a dream...

Pictures of President Ilham Aliyev and his father Heydar Aliyev planted in Antarctica...

On December 25th, for the first time in the history of Azerbaijan, an expedition from Azerbaijan was sent to Antarctica. 

On January 11, a bronze board with a picture of Heydar Aliyev on one side and picture of his son- Ilham Aliyev- on the other were planted on the Vincent peak, which the expedition climbed successfully. 

The following is a satirical peace of this trip posted on yahoo groups and sent to me from a friend:

"South Pole. Antarctica. Jan 15, 2009. After the expedition by Azerbaijani team to Antarctica, the continent underwent rapid changes. According to the local branch of YAP (newly established Yeni Antarctica Party), the local population of Antarctica expressed their deep gratitude of being honored with the portraits of two greatest leaders of the world, Mr. Heydar Aliyev and Ilham Aliyev. Now, in the shadow of these two great individuals, the problems of penguins in Antarctica can be resolved quickly. As a first step, it was decided to build a circular marble bridge around Antarctica and big sports complex under it. Antarctica's national Olympic committee also applied to host 2020 Summer Olympic Games.

The local workers, peasants, singers and other cheerful, happy and grateful citizens also created an initiative group in support of unlimited presidency in Azerbaijan. As one Antarctic politician, Mr. Penguin-gulu Yaltagov put it: "Butun Antarctica xalgi bu konstitusiya deyishiklerini beyenir, ve hami bir penquin kimi birleshib rehberliyin mudrik siyasitini destekliyir! " (translation: All people of Antarctica approve of these constitutional changes and everyone, as one united penguin, support the wise policies of the leadership") .

There were some attempts by few local penguins to demonstrate against these plans and drive attention to "serious problems facing the country", such as loss of their lands to invasion by water/ ice melting, diminishing fish supplies etc.  But Penquin National Police force, as well as outraged private civilians prevented this provocation and dispersed the unauthorized rally at the western edge of South Pole. Some activists of Penquin National Front party and other opposition parties were arrested. The official spokesperson for Antarctic Interior Minister denied any allegations of police beating demonstrators and said that these arrests had nothing to do with the political issues and all detainees are held on charges of consuming protected species of squid and tax fraud. Still, the police spokesperson said that if penquins want to demonstrate - they can do it legally only in remote ice deserts of Adelje Coast."