Baku- a year later, changes are there but what about conscience?

My heart was racing. I was standing at the passport control at Haydar Aliyev International Airport. I was nervous. After being called a traitor, an agent and many other negative things by our beloved media, it was my first time home since my last visit to Baku in December of last year. I was nervous and millions of unpleasant thoughts for pacing through my mind. 

Few minutes down the waiting line, a woman in crispy uniform with a pretty smile said "Welcome home!" and stamped my passport. I was smiling too. Now when I think of that moment, I can feel the heavy weight lifting off my shoulders. 

I was excited to be back. 

But Baku didn't change. Apart from new constructions, a bit of usual glitz here and there everything was the same. The sad and stern looks on people's faces were everywhere- on the streets, on public transportation. The daily concerns did not disappear as quickly and as easy as some parts of old Baku destroyed for new construction projects and other mind blowing changes planned for the new Baku.

And though this may sound too dramatic, it felt like I was back in a country that had no future. Yes, and you might not agree with it. You don't have to agree with it. But, we, the citizens of Azerbaijan have no future because our future is being taken away from us. The life, the standards, the country we could possibly have one day, remains a distant dream, hidden inside of people like Bakthiyar Hajiyev who is still serving his unjustly given sentence in prison. 

I thought of the people sitting behind their desks up there watching their Baku and ours, taken apart piece by piece, people forced to misery- all aware of where we have come. Surely, these officials are also aware that no matter how many new buildings they construct, or facades build, they will never cover the reality- poor health care, deteriorating education, non- existent social care and most importantly human relations (you might say how is that relevant, but it is. If you suffocate people so much, no one is going to care about others, its all going to become one big survival of the fittest struggle, if not it has already become so). 

New Baku looks nice, but who is it for? You can "renovate" as many schools as you want, as many hospitals as you want, but if those who work there hold on to their old habits, all of this "beautification" is pointless. If young men on the metro don't know how to behave, if people litter the streets, if no one respects a line in front of an ATM machine- then none of them are going to understand the new Baku. They simply don't care! And why would they- if they struggle with their daily lives, if they need to take care of sick parents, if they need to pay a bribe at their local school or university...

Its just sad. Seeing how much is wasted, the potential human resources, and most importantly the potential future we might have. Its recklessly going away as if we are eternal, as if what have is infinite. We all are going to leave this world one day, but its the next generations who are going to stay behind and struggle with what we are leaving behind. 

Albert Camus once said "by definition, a government has no conscience. Sometimes it has a policy, but nothing more". Today Azerbaijani government has a policy- arrest, silence, forget, bribe, renew, rebuilt and don't look back. The question is, what policy will it have tomorrow? 

Bakhtiyar Hajiyev's case remains unsettled

On Tuesday, December 6th, the Supreme Court of Azerbaijan rejected Bakhtiyar Hajiyev's appeal. His lawyer, Sadig Bagirov, not surprised with the final ruling, announced his decision to take Hajiyev's case to the European Court of Human Rights. 

According to AzeriReport article, Hajiyev didn't attend the hearing due to "technical" issues (it turns out Azerbaijan is not so advanced when it comes to technology- the telegram sent the day before the hearing asking for Hajiyev's permission to be present at his own hearing miraculously never reached the court in time). 

During the hearing three motions were raised. Among them (and one of the most important ones) were a request to clarify "the compliance of the law on military service with the Azerbaijani Constitution" given Azerbaijani Constitution allows for alternative military service [Hajiyev was arrested on charges of evading military service] while the law on military service has not provided any provision on alternative service".

The decision indeed should come as no surprise. This happened before and will continue happening as long as Azerbaijan remains among the countries controlling its every single state institution, including the judicial system. 

Basta!

Bing Images

is what I feel like yelling every time I read of yet another unjust imprisonment or humiliation or violation of basic rights in Azerbaijan. And its how I felt yelling today too as I heard how another youth activist and a member of one of the opposition parties, Jabbar Savalan was sentenced to 2.6 years on charges for illegal possession of drugs. 

Jabbar was arrested several months ago on February 5th, after publicly announcing on Facebook a "day of rage" inspired by what was happening in Tunisia, Egypt and elsewhere. 

The lawyer, Asabali Mustafayev of a 19 year- old activist says allegations against his defendant were "groundless" and complete falsification as many activists and human right defendants argue. 

Outside the court room, in Azerbaijan's second largest city Sumgayit, activists and supporters chanted "Freedom" as they heard the verdict. Police reaction was quick (as it always is)- seven protestors were arrested and few journalists received body injuries.  

Immediately following the decision, the country's deputy of the Human Rights commission at the National Parliament Rabiyyat Aslanova [AZ] explained that in Jabbar's case, an independent court ruled the decision and that all the details were evaluated. In no way, in Aslanova's words, the court could have made subjective decision, "its not possible" she added. She also noted that its time stop criticizing decisions made by the Azerbaijani courts. 

The very same "objective, transparent and honest" court imprisoned other activists and journalists, including the two bloggers whose immediate release was called upon by a number of influential international institutions. I guess, the "honest" court system Mrs. Aslanova is talking about exists only in her imagination because in reality, Azerbaijani courts are just as corrupted as anyone else including Rabiyyat Aslanova who can make statements as such while heading HUMAN RIGHTS commission. 

I ask you Rabiyyat Xanim, how many more people will have to get arrested, killed, beaten, and humiliated? Will you speak the same words if tomorrow someone close to you gets arrested and imprisoned? Will you still continue boasting of "lawful and just" system of Azerbaijani courts? I doubt it, because if one day that happens, maybe then you will finally become human again. Maybe then, you would finally stop lying again. Maybe then, you will finally do your job as the head of the Human Rights Commission. Maybe... Maybe not... After all, in your world not everyone is entitled to freedom, and certainly not everyone is entitled to living the live they want without pressure, intimidation and fear of being arrested or else one day...

'From Facebook to the streets of Baku'

The following is an excerpt from my recent article written for Osservatorio Balcani e Caucaso. 

Are the winds of the "Arab Spring" reaching Baku after all? A number of peaceful protests directly calling for the authorities to resign have stared in Azerbaijan, with the Internet playing a key role. The demonstrations have so far been met with repression, intimidation and new arrests. 

Earlier in March, a group of young and internet- savvy activists created a Facebook event page calling it "March 11th- Great People's Dat". In a short time, the group managed to gather thousands of supporters (more than 4,000) not only among independent activists and students but also among opposition party members. The Facebook page called on the Azerbaijani people to unite in demanding a change in the current regime. It was a loosely- organized structure with no leaders guiding the campaign and it did not have any clearly- defined set of actions. It served as a platform for young and independent activists, students, and opposition members, to discuss and share their ideas. It was the first nonviolent form of resistance in recent years that directly called on the authorities to resign[...]

You can read the rest of the article here.

The time has come...

Dear Mr. President,

The time has come… Not to disrespect your people, not to punish them for their demands, not to humiliate, not to kill, not to arrest, not to crush but listen…

The time has come to embrace the youth that is passionate and determined to live in a country that represents democracy and freedom, where values of humanity are taught in schools and where no one is punished for speaking out…

Azerbaijan is rich- its history, its culture, its arts, its music, its people… Azerbaijan is also rich with bright minds, golden hands, and creative souls… This is the richness and the gold that should be cherished. Yes, Azerbaijan is also rich in oil and gas, but this treasure means nothing for these very bright minds, golden hands, and creative souls.

It doesn’t mean anything for a retired teacher- Huseyn, who can barely afford his medicine. It doesn’t mean anything, for a little girl- Melek, whose family is struggling with affording schoolbooks and other appliances. It doesn’t mean anything, for a medical student- Sevinc, who is crippled by her very own professors just for the sake of extra 50 or 100 dollars (or manats) if not more. It doesn’t mean anything, for a young boy- Sanan, living in a village in Lenkoran, who doesn’t know that girls too have a right to education, work and an independent life or that he cannot decide for the faith of his younger sister.

Look around yourself Mr. President. Look at how many lives you have ruined by not reaching out, refusing to listen and shutting up.

Forget about all those fake smiles, applauds, praises that greet you at places you go. They are not there because they adore you. They are there because they are told to be there.  They are there because they were threatened to be there. You think, an 80-year-old woman, shaking your hand at an opening ceremony of yet another Olympic center, and praising all that you have done for her and her family is out of love? At best, its out of hope, that maybe, you will indeed help, that maybe, behind those elegant suites, stands a man, who truly cares for his people…

Dear Mr. President, you are capable of many things- with one phone call, a man or a woman can get arrested, with one stroke of an eye, someone can lose their life, with one gesture, someone could get lucky or not. Why can’t you treat your people well instead? Why do you keep your people in fear, anger and pain?

True, there is an army behind you- thousands if not more of people who have nothing more but an empty soul, brainwashed, re-programmed and ready to serve you- your personal army of thugs- men in plain cloths or animals who do not fear anything. It is true, that with just that one order, you could unleash them but why? You would not need them if you treated your countrymen well!

Isn’t it enough? The money and the greed have gotten everyone surrounding you rich and capable of doing anything they want. They own mansions, cars, bank accounts abroad; their wives only wear couture and their children live lives that would only be a dream for all those children living across the country in poor households. Where is justice in this? Why do some need to suffer while others only get to live better at the expense of those very pensioners, or teachers, or doctors, or students?

Dear Mr. President- you can arrest/torture/kill/belittle all of the Azerbaijani youth (of course, except those who are loyal to you and only) but greed will eventually end in destruction… All that we – the youth- want is what you speak of all too often in your televised addresses- equal and sustainable development, democracy, respect for human rights and freedom of expression- but not in just empty words and non- existent examples…

No longer can Azerbaijan hide behind the facades that are carefully built to hide lies, secrets, shady businesses, corruption, bribes, and much more… How many more people's lives you plan on ruining? Haven't you had enough?! You have made a tyrant out of yourself and the regime that is ruling this country. No point in dismissing international reports just because they propagate truth. Its not a secret anymore so no need to fool anyone with silly statements and baseless arguments...

Another activist in prison

Having Digiturk (Turkish cable TV) block blogspot.com in Turkey just because it didn't follow through its personal distress with Google, it has become a hassle to keep my blog updated on what is happening right now in Azerbaijan. However, thats for another discussion...

Following my post on March 11th event, one of its "creators" Bakhtiyar Hajiyev was arrested. On March 4th he was called in to the police for a second time that day and that was when he was never released. According to a letter received from Hajiyev, he was beaten, tortured and threatened to be raped by one of the local police officials of Ganja. He is currently on hunger strike.

Please spread the word- all we want for Azerbaijan is democracy, justice and freedom! Don't be fooled with fake anti- corruption measures and so- called "developments" taking place in this country- this is just a cover up for all the dirty deeds of Azerbaijani authorities.

Wanted to share few links:
http://turkhan.wordpress.com/2011/03/06/bakhtiyar-hajiyev-began-death-hunger-strike-and-wants-to-meet-with-the-us-ambassador/

http://turkhan.wordpress.com/2011/03/04/note-about-jailed-activist-and-situation/

http://advocacy.globalvoicesonline.org/2011/03/04/azerbaijan-activist-arrested-questioned-over-facebook/

http://advocacy.globalvoicesonline.org/2011/03/03/azerbaijan-as-protests-loom-facebook-is-monitored/

http://www.rferl.org/content/azerbaijan_youth_activist/2328489.html

http://azerireport.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2645&Itemid=43