Free and Open Internet in Azerbaijan?! How about limited Internet freedom instead?

These might be the last days of free and open internet in Azerbaijan. And if you think that this ain't true and simply part of a silly infatuation you are mistaken. Because something tells me if Ali Hasanov is talking about limiting internet than it might be limited for real. 

Turns out the authorities have closely been following the recent events [surprise surprise] and especially been paying even closer attention to discussions online [especially facebook, another surprise!]. 

And surely they found lots and lots of misinformation there. So much of it that they have finally decided to take the matters into their own hands and get down to the bottom of it. 

Not only have they butchered and killed traditional media where no one reports anything with an exception of news about the ruling highness and the minions, oh and I almost forgot- the successes of Azerbaijan- that now they are turning their attention to the Internet.

I guess it was bound to happen- sooner than later. I guess the time has come now. 

Now in real terms, what does this mean? 

It could mean a bunch of things- limiting access to certain websites and/or platforms. They have plenty of examples to choose from- Turkey, China. Who knows... To be honest, I am expecting the worst, so that just in case its not as terrible I still leave have room to comfort myself.

But the best part about all of this is that Hasanov accused whatever independent voices and outlets online as "gloating" like an "enemy" when something takes place in Azerbaijan. 

At least he hasn't started accusing the local people of being Armenian. Now imagine what a spectacle that would be!

Keep calm and stop worrying, President Aliyev will get to the bottom of it

President Aliyev, said he is going to closely follow up the murder of Rasim Aliyev. This is perhaps worst development because now that its president who is personally involved in the case, I fear, there wont be any justice. 

On August 10, Aliyev's aid, Ali Hasanov said "Ilham Aliyev sees the death of the journalist as direct threat and intimidation to freedom of speech and information as well as free press". 

Just for your information, President Aliyev promised to find the perpetrators when another journalist Elmar Huseynov was murdered in 2005 (just two years after Aliyev's election as the country's president). Then in 2011 when yet another journalist, Rafig Tagi died following fatal stabbing no progress was made into his case either. 

I fear President Aliyev's hearty message is a signal of yet another murder case go down in history as mystery. 

But if President Aliyev really wants to solve this mystery all he needs to do is let freedom of press, speech, and information really exist in Azerbaijan and independent journalist do their job without constant threats and beating from the police and thugs. 

Or he should simply ask himself a very basic question - when was the last time he met with independent press and why one of the country's most prominent journalists while following her right to speech freedom and freedom of information is currently on trial. Or why, do we have journalists and bloggers in jail? 

It is time to take responsibility for direct actions. Rasim's murder is the result of President and his aids' irresponsible way of ruling this country amid the atmosphere of fear, intimidation, and mafia like leadership.

And the winner in the category of ass kissing in these European Games is...

Ali Hasanov and his wife are a match made in heaven. No no, I wont be talking about their love life - disgusting. But I will talk about their "blinded love" for their "Aliyev God". Their fanatic behavior has no boundaries.

Why? Well because it is only the lowest of the low like them (and pretty much every other official working for this government) who can republish Khadija's letter written from prison and published in the New York Times on the eve of the European Games in a "slightly" readjusted wording.

In this so called letter from prison to the editors at the NY Times Khadija writes that she has been instructed by the US and that she is part of a large scale anti-Azerbaijan campaign. That she is in jail for her crimes and etc. 

But this is not surprising at all.

You see, Aliyev's minions, have done a lot to the journalists, activists, rights defenders and advocates in this country. Readers of this blog know by now well about it. From intimidation, to beating, to threats, to slander and defamation to even blackmail with sex tapes and last but not least arrests, and murder.  

But there is always room for progress. Ali Hasanov's wife, a woman of many faces, one of which calling herself an editor-in-chief of some cheap online portal publication did her best and will now get a bright golden star from President Aliyev, or from her husband, or perhaps she wont get anything at all as this line of work is part of her duties.

As if this cheap and dirty attempt was not enough, News.az- another ass kissing platform calling itself media outlet republished that letter but this time in English. Absurd! Outrageous! But hey, news.az is good - they always praise the government, write only about wonderful things that do not exist in Azerbaijan and claim to be a professional network. Professional ha! These people are disgrace to journalism.

Every day, I am baffled by how low some people are ready to fall. Just today I tried, no, I really tried, to have a conversation with my trolls. I wasted good two hours on them. But yet again, I proved myself that these are worthless creatures who do not give a spat about anything, having no respect for themselves or for this country.

Ali Hasanov's mastered skills to silence critics fails as he tries to silence animals as well

Ali Hasanov the head of social political department at the presidential apparatus claims the organizing committee has done a tremendous job getting the country ready for the upcoming European Games.

Even the European Olympics Committee has valued this progress highly notes Mr. Hasanov. 

“All of this proves that European Games will go down as the most magnificent games”. But unfortunately some forces are trying hard to engage in “black PR” and overshadow the development and progress achieved in this country economically, politically and socially” says Hasanov. These include Amnesty International and organization’s calls to boycott the games; spreading of disinformation; prearranged articles in foreign media full of blasphemy and so on. 

But the most leading institution in the so-called “black pr” campaign is Radio Liberty local bureau. “They are sharing videos of street dogs being killed as part of the "clean up" for the Olympic Games but no one can even prove the video was taken in Azerbaijan. It is obvious that by sharing such questionable facts those forces are simply spreading misinformation about the games. But this is nothing but crafty game against the country”, said Hasanov [Hasanov forgets to mention here that the video was shared by most of the online outlets yesterday morning, but was removed shortly after the news circulated online]. 

The video of stray dogs murdered in Balakhani district was shared widely on the social networks yesterday. Yelena Simakina who posted the video said in an interview with Azadliq Radiosu this was not the first time she has witnessed such brutality. “Almost every day there are street dogs that get killed. I filmed this about a week ago. Because you cannot kill stray animals in front of people, they bring them here. They shoot bigger dogs and beat the puppies to death with shovels” said Simakina [You can watch new footage here].

The killing range was quickly cleaned after the video circulated online. In an interview with Meydan TV the owner of the shelter repeated the words of Mr. Hasanov refuting any claims about killing of animals. “That video was probably taken in Soviet times” said the man. In the meantime the journalist zooms into the thick cloud of smoke in the back – exactly where the animals are getting burned after they are killed. 

Its certainly no soviet times, but the way the authorities treat the country reminiscent of those days – the crackdown, the surveillance and refuting all anti-government information. Azerbaijan might be in 21st century and about to host a multi billion sporting event, but the authorities’ methods to treat its people [and animals] are stuck somewhere in the past full of repression and crackdown.

I am pretty sure Orwell could possibly write a sequel to his 1984, “2015 same shit: 1984 disguised under billions of dollars”

Ali Hasanov's another ridiculous statement

Ali Hasanov, recently promoted minion, ehm... excuse me... government official proclaimed Azerbaijani media is free like a bird. The head of the political and public affairs department at the Azerbaijani Presidential Administration said the country cannot imagine its existence without free and independent media. 

Well Mr. Hasanov, I have got news for you - free and independent media imagines its existence without you! 

You didn't know?! I hate to break it to you but thats the truth. 

I thought you would know by now especially after you have managed along with other hard-working minions, ehm... excuse me yet again... government officials to shut down any independent media?! 

But I must say there is so much truth in your words like when you said "unverified, tendentious or ordered information make its way into media" - you of all people know how well this process works in Azerbaijan. 

But in case you think other countries might get misled by Azerbaijani news - do not worry. Pretty much everyone knows how you have silenced Azerbaijan's independent media and that all that's left isn't really media but a weak and pathetic platforms that I personally feel sorry about - because these so-called media platforms and those so-called journalists are nothing more but your apologists. Too bad for them. As they waste their lives being a tool in the hands of people like you. Although who knows, their salaries might be making them happy to be tools. In this case, too bad for their dignities. 

Oh and one more thing, since you are so worried about "humanity" as you mention in your speech, can you spare at least a bit of that and get our political prisoners out? Or your humanity is only enough for your international image?! Enough to recognized existence of political prisoners elsewhere but in your own country?! Yea, I thought so... That you lack the courage and what it takes to be a true politician is something that everyone knows and "not only in our country but throughout the whole world". 

Perhaps Mr. Hasanov, you take this advice: get a life and stop being a tool in someone's hands. Although you might be an already lost cause. 

Dialogue but only around election time

As I was reading this piece of news, I couldn't stop laughing. I am glad that our beloved Head of the Social and Political Department under the  Presidential Administration Ali Hasanov, remembered the existence of Azerbaijani opposition and also press (because at some point wasn't it Hasanov himself who claimed that there was no opposition whatsoever in Azerbaijan?!). In his comments during an event, the official was quoted saying:

A dialogue will be conducted with the opposition, press, political parties in Azerbaijan on the eve of presidential elections.

'Cuz there is no need for any dialogue prior to the elections?! And will this dialogue involve water canons and rubber bullets? Or will it be just about beating and torturing? Hmm... lets see, technically there is still time until the elections, so who knows, maybe there will be some special dialogue format organized in a place like Qobustan. I can tell you how its going to look. Opposition and independent press will be put in buses and taken to Qobustan, while political parties and other media will take their seats at one of the 5-Star hotels, sipping on their tea with lemon and laughing out loud applauding their recent dialogue with the opposition and the press and giving more press statements on the success of their diplomacy, the state of free media and prospering democracy. 

Political prisoners are "petty matters" for President Aliyev

Indeed they are. Or at least, according to the head of the social- political department of the Presidential Administration of Azerbaijan Ali Hasanov. You remember the "incident" with European Commission Vice- President Neelie Kroes during her visit to Baku for the Internet Governance Forum? No, not the one with her computer hacked (yes, that too happened in case you missed it!) but when she was not allowed to meet with the political prisoners. According to Ms. Kroes, President Aliyev, gave his approval. However, when Ms. Kroes showed up at the jail gates together with the head of EU delegation to Azerbaijan Roland Kobia, she was not allowed into the prison.

In an interview with local media outlet Turan, Ali Hasanov- i-know-it- all" not only refuted Ms. Kroes's original statement regarding original approval from the president but called the meeting with political prisoners a "petty matter". "Mr. President" Hasanov said, "did not engage in such petty matters" adding that meetings at jails are procedural based on the sentence of each convict.

Ehm... Thank you for reminding us Mr. Hasanov but I am pretty sure, when a President gives his approval (at least in Azerbaijani) things simply happen. But what we also learn from the same interview is apparent independence of state institutions as Ministry of Justice even though, we all know how ministries operate in Azerbaijan and under whose auspices. 

Needles to say that according to Mr. Hasanov, Azerbaijan has free Internet, free journalists, freedom of expression and etc.

Perhaps, a reality check is what Mr. Hasanov needs. I wonder if President agrees with Mr. Hasanov on calling political prisoners "petty matters" especially given how much importance he attaches to the country's image abroad. Though, given the President never himself attended the IGF 2012 and chose to send a letter while instead opting to attend next door BAKUTEL exhibition is proof that political prisoners as well as other pressing issues in Azerbaijan are perhaps "petty matters" for some...

Time for summer clean- up after Eurovision

This is my most recent article on post- Eurovision Azerbaijan and the crackdowns that continue in a country where change (a very optimistic word in this case) is very slow and authorities care little about anything but themselves. 

You can read the original article in English here and in Italian here.

Time for Summer Clean Up After Eurovision in Azerbaijan

"Azerbaijan: in the shadow of dictatorship"

Came across this report by accident when searching for news on Azerbaijan online. Excellent job capturing Azerbaijan and its present. 

You can access the original report here.

Azerbaijan: in the shadow of dictatorship

European Parliament resolution on Azerbaijan (May 25, 2012)

Though its been a while, after watching this video where top Azerbaijani official aid is bashing all of the European, international and local institutions dealing with human rights, democracy, free press issues as well as local human rights defenders and activists, I thought I remind myself and others what are Azerbaijan's responsibilities as a member of Council of Europe and a partner in European Neighborhood Policy. 

This is the resolution that came through a day before the finals of the Eurovision song contest held in Baku.

European Parliament resolution on the human rights situation in Azerbaijan

Ali Hasanov all fired up

Google images

My first reaction to this article was "wait a sec... this can't be true... its a joke". Unfortunately it wasn't. Ali Hasanov, head of the social political department at the Presidential Administration said some things today that were simply unbelievable (not that he has ever said things that made sense before). It was a fired speech he gave nonetheless. For instance his toughest reaction was to human rights organizations as Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch and Freedom House. Why? Well because they speak the truth and truth is one thing Azerbaijani authorities do not like. In fact, its a word erased from their vocabulary a long time ago. 

What Mr. Hasanov and the rest of the Azerbaijani authoritarian leadership fails to see is that the moment they change and adopt true values of democracy (or step down and let democracy take over) none of these institutions are going to rank Azerbaijai at its lowest. But hey, who am I talking about?! 

But the statement of the day was when Ali Hasanov actually said "Nowhere in the world the opposition is not as free as in Azerbaijan". Did he actually say that? I guess he did. I mean "Hello?!" where do you live Mr. Hasanov? Certainly not in a country where recent and previous protests were crashed and protesters arrested? 

European Parliament was also given its share of dragony fire. "Let them look at themselves, let them look at the crisis in the Eastern Europe" he said.

Oh, and Mr. Hasanov, perhaps you missed a big chunk of news and information about the Arab Uprisings. It wasn't caused by "multinational TV channels" but by firstly a young man who was sick of his government and set himself on fire. Unless "multinational TV channels" have some extraordinary powers of remotely setting people on fire you are so oblivious that its just funny and makes you look funny too. So you don't care about Azerbaijani people and their well being, at least have the decency not trash all those Tunisians, Egyptians, Libyans and many more who managed to change their governments and though still in the process, ensure that they no longer will be oppressed, tortured, silenced, arrested and simply ignored by their governments.

Your blindness Mr. Hasanov is just sickening. When will you stop and open your eyes and say something that will remotely resemble truth...

Eurovision 2012- what you see and don't see

This is my most recent storify story on Eurovision and Azerbaijan. More updates to come soon.

Eurovision 2012 in Azerbaijan, Triumph or Trap?

My recent article written for Osservatorio Balcani e Caucaso. You can read the article at Osservatorio's website by clicking on the title.

May 14th of this year was no ordinary day for Azerbaijan. That day marked Azerbaijan's first place victory in the Eurovision Song Contest in what was only the country's fourth year of participation in the competition. The streets of Baku were festive as Eurovision fans poured onto the streets celebrating, chanting and waiving Azerbaijani flags. The country’s president personally greeted and congratulated the winning duo, Ell and Nikki, praising the two for their outstanding performance in Dusseldorf, the host of this year's Eurovision Song Contest, and calling their success a “people’s victory.” However, while Azerbaijani authorities and many of the country's supporters together celebrate the country’s success, Azerbaijan still remains a country with a poor human rights record and an overall lack of adherence to democratic values.

The Euro Idol

Now in its 56th year, the Eurovision song contest is a glitzy show similar to ‘American Idol’ where fans vote for their favorite songs and singers. It is also the most-watched non-sport event in most of Europe with millions of people following the show. However, it is also known for its deeply politicized nature with neighboring countries favoring and voting for each other. In just one example of this favoritism, Turkey and Azerbaijan vote each year to award the highest possible mark of 12 points to one another. This year was no exception. Turkey - along with other countries like Russia, Malta, Ukraine, Greece, Croatia, San- Marino, Romania and Moldova - gave Azerbaijan the highest scores possible.

Azerbaijan was represented by a singing duo, Eldar Gasimov (age 21) and Nigar Jamal (age 30), also known by their nicknames of Ell and Nikki. Their song, called “Running Scared”, had already gotten some favorable nods during preliminary performances. Composed and written by three Swedish songwriters, Stefan Örn, Sandra Bjurman and Iain Farguhanson, “Running Scared” is about two young people who are so in love that they are too afraid to finally reach one other and unite.

We Knew We’d Win Anyway

According to political official Ali Hasanov, head of the political department under the Presidential Administration, “the victory was not unexpected”. Hasanov believes it is the importance and “great attention” Azerbaijan attaches to the Eurovision competition every year that got Azerbaijan its first place prize. But other factors may have played a role. Azerbaijan's fashion icon and culture guardian, First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva, and the Haydar Aliyev Foundation she heads are involved in the contest. Her immediate appointment as the head of the Organizational Committee responsible for Eurovision 2012 in Baku only proves this to be true.

Azerbaijan's generous allocation of funds for Eurovision competitors is not something new for the country. As the world was tightening its belts during the financial crisis, last year alone Azerbaijan spent over two million US Dollars on a young singer: Safura. The performer’s Eurovision stunt included hiring Beyonce’s choreographer, a kitschy MTV-like video and expensive stage costumes.

Under the spotlight

Having won the contest this year, Azerbaijan will be the host of the Eurovision 2012 contest, currently scheduled to take place between 22 and 26 May, 2012. International critiques suggest that this might have an effect on the country’s poor human rights record while domestic observers are more interested in taking advantage of Azerbaijan's time in the spotlight to promote the country's culture and tourism. The contest could offer a possible political benefit in the upcoming presidential elections scheduled for 2012. Other stakeholders hope some attention will be paid to the ongoing conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia over Nagorno Karabakh, a territorial dispute that escalated in 1992 and has left thousands of people killed, missing, or displaced.

The head of the EU delegation to Azerbaijan, Roland Kobia, sees the upcoming event as a “golden opportunity”. In a statement he made shortly after the contest, Kobia said Azerbaijan should use this occasion to show the world its commitment to reforms and to the modernization of its society.

Many human rights activists and pro-democracy advocates in Azerbaijan can only wish such optimism were realistic, especially as the country has gained a negative reputation abroad for its crackdowns on activists and journalists, its tight control of independent media, and its history of rigged elections.

It was ironic to see that while thousands of Azerbaijanis hailed the Eurovision victory in Freedom Square on the night of May 14th in the capital of this oil-rich nation, that very same square has been closed to any political protests since 2003. The square has been closed to demonstrations since mass protests held in 2003 when the country’s current president came to power in undemocratic elections that failed to meet Azerbaijan's OSCE commitments and international standards for democratic elections.

A resolution recently adopted by the European Parliament condemns a recent wave of crackdowns in Azerbaijan on journalists, lawyers, and human rights activists. The resolution underlines the country’s superficial commitment to a number of international conventions and agreements. In the past four years, the country has regressed in its reform pledges rather than progressed, going so far as to accuse some of its young activists of plotting the overthrow of the regime. The recent forced closure of the Norwegian Human Rights House is just another example of recent crackdowns. Azerbaijan remains the only member state of the Council of Europe that, to this day, refuses to allow the Council’s special representative on political prisoners to visit.

And so, while Ell and Nikki are “Running Scared” from each other, Azerbaijan’s activists and many others are running scared from the Azerbaijani authorities at home and abroad. And it is definitely not out of strong love and affection for each other…

"The right way of life..."

I just read an article published in New York Times "A dissident is free from jail, but his punishment is not over" about Emin Milli and his struggle as a young, educated and talented man from Azerbaijan.

I look at Emin's life and especially the last few years as a struggle because what Emin and Adnan both has been through is a struggle. And its not a struggle that is over. They still have to deal with it and will have to deal with it because the circumstances. But they are not alone. And I think in such kind of struggle having the supporting network is extremely important not to give up, not to feel ousted, and most importantly not to lose hope.

But there was also something else in the article, that "moved" me. The quote by Ali Hasanov, that was too much (as most of the things he says) this time as well.

Ali M.Hasanov, a top official in the presidential administration, said President Aliyev had allowed the two to be released early because their parents asked for mercy... And the president granted this request out of humane considerations.

Its incredible that someone as inhumane as Mr. Hasanov, would use "humane" in his comments. That man is known for his brutality just like any other senior government official. But of course, I shall be mocked for these words because thats what "humane" people like Mr. Hasanov do. I hate to break it to you but it is obvious that the definition of humane or right way to life have different meanings in a dictatorial dictionary of Azerbaijani officials and international understanding and definition. 

An Azerbaijani humane officials or their puppets (including judges, police officers and others) imprison people who fail to meet their standards of humanity. As long as you remain a clown, acting it out in front of them, praising them and always supporting them you stay out of prison, arrests, detentions, humiliations and much more. 

The question that remains unanswered is how long this oppression, this approach to silence and attempts to break people up will continue...

"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