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. 

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.   

"My President" propaganda

This morning as I was browsing articles I came across this one [RU]. Basically a youth initiative called "My President" was created in 2013 [seeing some familiar faces from IRELI]. Its Facebook page has close to 54,000 likes. Its website provides information about the initiative. You can also follow them on Twitter with @MPrezidentim. Not surprisingly its not about any possible or future President but precisely about Ilham Aliyev.

This is what it states on the top of their webpage:

Rough translation:

I am certain- My President is the protector of independence of this country

I think- My President compels us to think of our homeland

I believe- My President will free our lands

I know- My President thinks of every single citizen

I am sure- My President is the provider of healthy and successful future

I consider- My President young in spirit is always by young peoples' side

I am proud- My President is Ilham Aliyev

There is a video clip too with some 1000 young people involved to a song that is called surprise surprise "My President". Its not out yet but there is a behind the scenes clip available. 

In a country where there is little or close to no pre-election atmosphere (unless posters calling people to vote counts) this is perhaps the only thing that caught my attention. Surprisingly (or ironically) even this campaign is done in support of the President. Now imagine if this song was called "our candidates" instead of "My President" or "vote for your candidate"- now that would have added some spice to it all. Was this done in Turkey (especially in the light of recent events), I think already there would have been satirical responses.

Feudal Fascist regime of Azerbaijan

Corruption, bribery, scandal, war, exploitation, hatred, propaganda, excuses, misuse of patriotism, misuse of tragedies, and more in this to the point speech by Emin Milli.

Must watch especially on the eve of another march (March 10th) held in support of innocent deaths of Azerbaijani soldiers (and reasons behind them)! 

Discussing Azerbaijan at Inside and Outside Radio program

Discussing Azerbaijan's domestic political situation, Turkey- Azerbaijan relations, and my own work as a blogger at a radio program "Inside and Outside" in Istanbul earlier this year. You can listen to other interviews that have taken place at the radio here at the show's host- Ekrem Guzeldere's page.

Here is a link where you can hear the full interview.