In TV series Sopranos, there is a line when Tony speaks to Christopher Moltisanti, the cousin of Tony Soprano’s wife and part of his inner circle: “Blood. You’re going to lead this family into the 21st century."
I wonder what was the conversation Mehriban Aliyev had with her husband Ilham Aliyev before he broke the news that he was going to appoint her as Azerbaijan's first VP?
Maybe Ilham Aliyev watched Sopranos, and maybe he even used that sentence.
But that was a movie, Azerbaijan and the appointment is real life.
Aliyev said his beautiful (well, he did not actually say beautiful) but he did say, determined and dedicated and lots of other pretty words about his wife while presenting her to his "comrade minions" at the "security" meeting today (February 21, 2017).
She was nuanced when she delivered "thank you love" speech.
And so it was made official- Azerbaijan was run by a family (first father, then son- you know the story) but now it is run by a family where all its current member are alive and well. We should be expecting another appointment to the second VP position. It could be Aliyev Junior, or perhaps not yet. It could be one of the daughters or maybe the husband of one of the daughters.
At this point, it does not really matter who gets to occupy the position of second VP because no matter who that person is going to be, Azerbaijan has just changed to a royal family type of thing in what already looked like a monarchy.
What do all of these have in common you ask? Well if the case is about Azerbaijan it is obvious. A rapper who made a video and posted it on YouTube is now seeing his mom (and relatives) round up by the police for questioning. Police is demanding the rapper takes down the video. The rapper says he won't budge.
Jamal Ali, is a young Azerbaijan musician who have had his share of torture, beating and arrest. In an interview I did with Jamal back in 2015 for a project called Freedom Beat, we spoke about his experience in the aftermath of the arrest and the humiliation he had to endure.
"They place a bag over my head, handcuffed me from behind, sat me on a chair and extended my legs onto another chair. They took off my shoes and then started beating me with a rubber truncheon over my heels. This lasted for about three hours the first time, then another two hours the second time", he told me.
Jamal was 24 at the time. This was in March 2012, two months later Azerbaijan was to host annual kitsch Eurovision pop song contest.
Had it not been for the Eurovision contest, Jamal fears he would have ended up in jail on a much longer sentence. He was released ten days later and warned not to make songs or sing about the president and the authorities anymore.
Shortly after the incident Jamal left Azerbaijan and moved to Berlin where he continued his work. And work he did. Jamal released this video [see below] on December 31, 2016.
Guess what the song is about? Of course it is about authoritarian regime in Azerbaijan, and how it goes after activists and more.
This time, because Jamal himself was not in the country, the authorities have gone after his family members, including his mother.
The family was told Jamal must remove the video. Jamal says he has not intention to do so.
Jamal's work either as an independent singer or throughout his years singing with various rap bands always focused on challenges average Azerbaijanis faced in the country- the poverty, illegal demolitions, the abuse of rights, crackdown on free speech and democracy and so on.
His gift to his fans right before his departure from Azerbaijan was a song called “Vermisel” [Noodles].
The song was about illegal demolitions, people left without homes ahead of the Eurovision song contest combined with what happened to him during his detention.
“Woke up in the morning
Had "vermicelli" [noodles]
At lunch I had same thing
I said enough is enough
And went out to do something
I was beaten for what I said
Shoved into the police car
They showed on AZTV [1st governmental channel] and called us bandits
What? Am I not right?
My house is demolished
I'm homeless
No roof over my head
Is Eurovision what I need now?
Cameras are all over the place
Someone is watching us
Here is the message to them: Saint middle finger
You call yourself citizen
"No stone left on stone"
The fountain you are proud of
Is made with your tax money
Dudes are working hard
It's 5 on records, 15 in their pockets
The dirt is eaten anyway
Why am I in charge for that?!
Dear Hajibala [Baku mayor]
What the hack you are doing, man?
If you have big passion for demolishing
Go demolish "his" houses in Dubai
Cameras are all over the place
Someone is watching us
Here is the message to them: Saint middle finger.”
In a meeting of Cabinet of Ministers President Aliyev spoke of 2014 and the prospects for 2015. Aliyev claimed "Azerbaijan kept the pace of intensive development while the country's people lived in safety in 2014".
It would have been great if President could define what he means by "safety" because if fear, intimidation and imprisonment is "safety" then something is wrong with wording here. Or maybe he meant to say, I keep my prominent critics in jail to ensure their safety from all the bad demons?! Surely this is what he really meant to say.
President also no doubt mentioned a "strong unity between the people and government in Azerbaijan". Ehm... unity between us and you sir?! Hmm... I think we found ourselves another word that needs some definition here. Because the way I see it there ain't unity between us but just you eating away our future with your kind and us fearing of what is yet to come from you. No doubt there is unity but it aint between you and the people. Its between you and your minions. Otherwise we all know your "love" and "kindness" for political opposition in Azerbaijan sir. No doubt about that!
Aliyev mentioned the economy too - how could he not?! After all if its not for massive economy projects how would his family and his cronies appropriate more $$$?! Surely it was a success! Lots of investment projects! Lots of pocketed bills for you!
The country enjoys "great respect in the world" Aliyev noted. Although this too raises questions - which countries respect Azerbaijan? Surely the ones who have no clue of Aliyev's authoritarian grip or those who share similar interests?! As for dictatorships liking and thinking fondly of other dictatorships - well thats no news Sir! And of course we shall forget those countries who would gladly and happily respect Azerbaijan with the help of some extra cash, a nice vacation and some fancy presents.
Oh of course, I almost forgot the launch of our second satellite! How about launching some real reforms in corruption sir? Like real ones?! Not fake promises and statements you so much love and enjoy giving. Here is a suggestion: how about we place that corruption into a third satellite and launch it into the orbit along with all those in the government of Azerbaijan who have stolen from the people and keep on stealing? Can we do that Mr. President? Oh wait, that would probably also mean launching yourself and your family along too. Hmm... Not sure there will be the comforts of life you are used to but hey its worth a try no?!
Anyway. As we leave behind one of the most difficult years behind, my wish for 2015 is for our President and his minions to get a bit of sense, honesty and humanness (that's because I realize my satellite wish would be a bit problematic). Of course thats never going to happen, I realize that. So perhaps 2015 wont be any better. After all we have these weird games that were invented as per Aliyev's wish called European Olympics which have already costed billions and then another set of violated elections await us in November. So on the day when we remember the campaign condemning the deaths of conscripts (who are dying in your multi billion super duper army by the way) I wish us all strength and patience. We are going to need a lot of it. Because after all we all are here to stay unless of course that satellite comes along.
I have lived in several countries in my 20 something life, and nowhere did I hear the word mentality used so often than in my home sweet home Azerbaijan.
What is this mentality? Some degree of machismo? Or maybe superiority?
Apparently in Azerbaijan it means a lot. For instance, comedians dressing up in women's clothes (which is something many comedians around the world do) is considered "as contradictory to Azerbaijani mentality". Or so says, one of our parliament members Fazil Mustafa. I wonder what else Mr. Mustafa considers as contradictory after hearing him say this.
I am just curious since when this has become contradictory? Its been done through centuries. Should I remind you of Shakespeare?
You see this is why Azerbaijan is lagging behind with the whole concept of gender equality and women's rights. I am not a feminist, nor will I ever be one (this is just a side note for those whose minds it crossed). I am just for equality and for removal of such senseless expressions as "against/contradictory to mentality". Yes we have a very traditional society where men and women are not treated as equals, where woman's place is at home and man's at work, where women get most of the time off work when they give birth and men get none, even though the baby belongs to both of them, and they should both be entitled to spend the initial (and crucial) first months with the baby and... Wait a second, where was I? Ah right, family, equality and gender, oh and lets not forget the key word in this post- mentality!
So yes, mentality and what contradicts it- maybe its time we really start breaking the stereotypes within our heads?! Mentality is just another excuse for men and sometimes even women to bring it up as an argument, an exit strategy. It doesn't suit us!
The male vs. female equality is a topic widely debated not only in Azerbaijan but in many countries across the world. We do not question the reality of what if we actually were not born just because we were a boy or a girl or our parents made that decision for us. Imagine that your life abruptly ended somewhere down the first few weeks. It is hard to imagine, because it didn't happen to many of us but we should not forget about so many lives of tiny, helpless, little human beings that are ended just because their parents or elders or uncles and brothers chose to do so because they are simply the male figure, because they can.
This is an article I wrote recently for Osservatorio Balcani e Caucaso on selective abortion in Azerbaijan. It makes me wonder how many lives were ended, do you?
