What happens when you 'insult' a state institution...

Today, sheduled trial for Leyla Yunus begins in Baku. She is charged for 'insulting' the Ministry of Internal Affairs, causing (according to the ministry), 'moral damage' to the reputation of the police (I had no idea, that the MIA and Azerbaijani police officers were so 'emotional' and 'ethical'). Leyla Yunus, was charged, as a result of an interview she gave, where she questioned the conduct of a kidnapping trial in which a defendant had alleged police involvement.

Human Rights Watch is urging the government to withdraw this case. 

"In a statement, Rachel Denber, director of HRW's Europe and Central Asia division, said "a judgment against Yunus would set a terrible precedent for freedom of expression in Azerbaijan."

"When allegations are made of official involvement in kidnapping, the public has an interest in knowing what has been done to investigate," said Denber. "The Azerbaijani government should focus on ensuring that justice is done instead of targeting activists for their legitimate criticism."

Activists and media watchdog groups say the Yunus case is but one more example of the Azerbaijani government cracking down on free expression".

I am slightly skeptical whether the government will take Human Rights Watch seriously...

"Azerbaijan "upset" by foreign rights watchdogs' reports"

The following statement was made by the head of the public and political department of the presidential administration Ali Hasanov, after Human Rights and Freedom House assessments' of the country.

"The annual reports by Human Rights Watch and Freedom House on the human rights and freedoms situation in Azerbaijan do not reflect the "objective reality", the head of the public and political department of the presidential administration, Ali Hasanov, has said in an interview with Turan (Azerbaijan News Agency)".

In the same statement Ali Hasanov added, that Azerbaijan being an independent state forms its domestic and foreign policies "on the basis of the will of the people". 

Ali Hasanov, made a bold statement after Presidential elections in October of 2008 stating "Democratic, just and transparent elections were held in Azerbaijan. These elections are the best and the most democratic elections in Azerbaijan". According to him, the opposition didn't participate in the elections simply because it new that the President Ilham Aliyev, would with the majority. Ali Hasanov added "non-participation of opposition in the elections is not authorities' fault. If opposition wants legitimacy, it should participate in the elections".

All this, really makes me wonder...Maybe Azerbaijan really is a DEMOCRACY. It is just none of us (independent observers, political analysts, public, International Organizations) understand its true intentions...  

The following are just some of the points mentioned in the annual report on the state of human rights, released by the International Human Rights Watch organization:

- Azerbaijan failed to demonstrate improvements in human rights during October 2008 presidential elections;

- Freedom of assembly and media was restricted during elections;

- Opposition was prevented by authorities from organizing demonstrations;

About the situation overall:

- Journalists and human rights defenders who are critical of the state continue facing pressure, harassment and arrest;

- Three international radio services- BBC, Radio Free Europa/ Radio Liberty and Voice of America- were taken off their radio waves and made accessible only through satellite receiver or the internet;

- Torture and ill- treatment in custody continues to be a widespread problem...

http://www.hrw.org/sites/default/files/reports/wr2009_web.pdf