Dispatches from Azerbaijan: preparations for Formula 1, reactions to critical of Azerbaijan bills and investigations and more

Ah my dear Azerbaijan. What has become of you?! Your diplomats are seeking political asylum in foreign countries, some of your most honest and dedicated people are in jail, some of your best have left the country in search for better jobs and opportunities, others building their lives back home while the rest are stuck between the daily struggle of survival and existence.

Depressing? Worse! Its a disgrace! For a country that made billions worth in revenues, to keep its people in such conditions is nothing but shameful. 

But no one is taking the blame or feels the least bit ashamed of their acts- and I am speaking about official Baku, those greedy officials, parliament members, who are rubbing their full bellies, rich on their greed and lip service. And they won't do or say anything to jeopardize their comforts because they know all too well what their lives would be like otherwise. And why not?! There are always scapegoats and "foreign powers jealous of prospering Azerbaijan" to blame.

Take for instance Azerbaijan's few diplomats who were recently stripped of their diplomatic credentials after breaking down the usual diplomatic mantra of "yes President Aliyev, right President Aliyev, we salute you President Aliyev and we will do whatever you say President Aliyev, even if means selling ourselves". Arif Mammadov who was former Ambassador to the Organization of Islamic Cooperation in the EU; Nahid Jafarov, former consul general of the Azerbaijan Embassy to the Netherlands, and Anar Hasanov, former secretary of the Azerbaijan Embassy in Australia- all have been dismissed, just like that, as if their time "expired" like daily food products. 

The moment they opened their mouths in the direction of truth, exposing corruption and the unjust Aliyev's regime, they were "called in". 

In the meantime, preparations are in full swing for the Formula 1 race. It is happening. Next year. And rumor has it, Azerbaijan is hosting the race because Heydar Aliyev junior is a big fan- of course this is just a rumor but nonetheless it is costing Azerbaijan serious $$$. The minister of youth and sports confirmed today that the country is spending some 12millionAZN [AZ] for the race. 5millions were already spent. Who knows how much the country is spending in reality. But whatever it is, the budget won't get filled by the series of ridiculous fines the parliament of Azerbaijan recently introduced. And do not worry, 30,000 tickets will be sold and Azerbaijanis will be able to purchase tickets on 40% discount. I am just not sure whether 30,000 tickets is what they are planning to sell in addition to 40% discount tickets. Otherwise if a few ministries are forced to buy these tickets (as we have seen happen in the past to fill out the venues) not sure how we are supposed to make any revenues from that? But hey, I am no economist, and perhaps there is something I don't see (I am relying for this on my usual critics/trolls who have a tendency to shower me with their opinions on this).

And last but not least we have some developments from the Council of Europe and US. On December 16, Secretary General of the Council of Europe Thorbjorn Jagland, launched an official inquiry into Azerbaijan's implementation of the European Convention on Human Rights. Jagland said he will "send representatives to Azerbaijan to seek explanations from the authorities concerning the country's implementation of the Human Rights Convention". Surely Azerbaijan officials were quick to respond. Aydin Mirzazade, MP said this decision exceeded Jagland's powers. However, someone needs to remind Mr. Mirzazade that under article 52 of the European Convention on Human Rights, Secretary General- in this case Mr. Jagland-can actually launch an inquiry to find out how domestic law in any member state is implemented. Mr. Mirzazade should actually be ashamed of the state of freedoms and liberties in Azerbaijan rather than criticizing European institution. 

Also on December 16, United States Representative Chris Smith (R, NJ), Chairman of the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe, introduced draft legislation entitled the "Azerbaijan Democracy Act of 2015" (ADA). "The bill is a strong policy response to [this] unprecedented attack on democracy, human rights and civil society in Azerbaijan. The legislation is modeled on the Belarus Democracy Act, which was passed into law during a harsh crackdown on civil society in Belarus. It recognizes the important national security and economic interests that do exist between the United States and Azerbaijan but sends the message that cooperation in areas of mutual interest is hindered by Azerbaijan's gross human rights violations including repression of the political opposition, the media and the religious minorities". 

For Hikmat Hajiyev, Azerbaijan's foreign ministry spokesperson this document is of course the outcome of "Armenian lobby". Oh God, for once, come up with a credible excuse!

Siyavush Novruzov, MP was quick to dismiss [AZ] the bill adding he had doubts the bill will get accepted anyway so there was no need to worry.

The head of the national parliament Ogtay Asadov demanded [AZ] that the US Embassy in Azerbaijan made an official statement clarifying whether this was just one opinion of one congressman rather than official position of the country. During the meeting at the parliament on December 18, Asadov hinted that Azerbaijan's "friends" in the US congress (of which the country apparently has enough) will stop this bill from going any further.

The question is what will be official Baku's next move- will it jail more people? Or will it change its mind about the list of prisoners the president pardons at the end of the year? Or some other hideous fine list? Who knows?! We shall wait and see...

Aliyev did it! Azerbaijan takes over Council of Europe's Chairmanship

Indeed, he did it! Azerbaijan took over Council of Europe's chairmanship for the course of the next 6 months while most of its members remained silent! The taste of caviar is sweet isn't it?! 

According to Reporters Without Borders, Azerbaijan takes over the chairmanship with the worst press freedom record of other 47 member states. 

So much for bastions of democracy, free speech and human rights! 

The reality of politics is harsh and Azerbaijan is a perfect example. It plays the game just the way it wants because there are no honest judges left in the game. 

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)! 

This is what you get for a pat on a shoulder

Novruz Mammadov is the chief of the department of foreign affairs of the Presidential Administration. Stefan Fule is the Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighborhood Policy. Azerbaijan became a member of the Council of Europe in 1999. You are probably thinking what these three have in common. Not a lot, especially if you read one of the most recent statements made by Mr. Mammadov in response to Commissioner Fule's statement regarding the arrests of two opposition voices- Ilgar Mammadov and Tofig Yaqublu. Very openly and quite boldly, Mr. Mammadov threatened EU officials warning them to stay out of Azerbaijan's internal political business and instead deal with its own crisis. 

Frankly, I wasn't surprised to hear such words of deeply nourished wisdom, coming from someone like Mammadov. But the tone is astonishing. Don't mess with us or you will make the lives of those arrested in Azerbaijani much worse than it already is.

This boldness so to speak didn't come from nowhere. For years, Azerbaijan was treated gently or "hugged and held" at a safe distance for Europe's own interests. But its not just Europe. US too, taking into account Azerbaijan's strategic significance been "soft" when it came to hold Azerbaijan's corrupted leaders accountable unlike say in Ukraine or Belarus where pressure has been much higher and more visible. And so, the spoiled child of Europe and the US, Azerbaijan, grew into a spoiled adult, rarely listening anymore. Today, Azerbaijani officials fear no one. They arrest, beat, torture, because they are certain their brutality will go unnoticed (except from "very concerned" statements). Their message is simple- we don't have to listen to you!

And so, Mammadov's statements come as no surprise, after all he is not the first, and he certainly wont be the last. If you remember just few weeks ago Ali Hasanov, head of the Social and Political Department under the Presidential Administration advised Christopher Strasser to retire all together.

The importance of stability in the region, and in the country is costing Azerbaijanis a lot, which surely interests the West to a lesser extent. And while Azerbaijan receives a gentle pat on a shoulder with somewhat parenting look to be kinder, no lessons are learned- the spoiled child returns home to play with its toys, and break or throw away the ones it no longer has interest in. 

Enhancing Freedom of Expression in Azerbaijan

Wanted to share this joint statement by the Council of Europe, OSCE and European Commission that came today following the week long Internet Governance Forum (IGF) 2012 in Baku, Azerbaijan.

Enhancing freedom of expression in Azerbaijan

Magic in the air- or will Ilham Aliyev trick European politicians all over again

Of course I am not talking about flying men on a stage, or colorful and endless little handkerchiefs coming out of one's pocket. This is actually about a well- known trick of a white rabbit. You know- one minute rabbit is there, and then bam and rabbit is gone. 

This time, the trick will be performed by no other but Ilham Aliyev- the authoritarian President of Azerbaijan.  His audience will be the Council of Europe. The question is will the CoE nod in unison and rise to their feet to loudly applause His Excellency Aliyev or will they actually understand they are being tricked? 

We'll see as PACE decides today on the definition of the term political prisoner. I am keeping my fingers crossed and so are the many of the journalists, bloggers, advocates and organizers at home. You see, its actually very simple. We care about our future, the future of our country and the future of the generations to come! We care about our present! We care about the people who think freely and are not afraid to show this! I care for my country's future! The please do care too! 

And of course, what prompted me to write this post was this brilliant story told in pictures by European Stability Initiative - Ilham the Magician and the Council of Europe. Must see!

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

Liar, liar, pants on fire...

Azerbaijan is a country that recently gained a world wide reputation for a number of things. For starters, it is now known for being the highest spender on the pop and cheesy song contest known as Eurovision. It also made itself known for the Crystal Hall, the Flame Towers, the Old Town, the New Fountain Square and some bits of the downtown Baku. And of course, "Azerbaijan, the land of" phrase that captured attention of foreigners who were hearing the name of this country for the very first time. 

But then, as TV commercial ads were boasting of beautiful and mesmerizing Azerbaijan, something else caught the attention of outsiders. Azerbaijan wasn't just known for its nature, colorful culture and architecture. Behind that Azerbaijan was another, hidden country, where rights of its very own people are oppressed, where journalists are punished for their work, where free words and free spirits are under constant scrutiny and more... 

It is up to outsiders to decide which of the Azerbaijans they prefer- glitz and glamor and so- called "hidden treasures" or the country where real life conditions are not so glitzy and glamorous. For those who choose the latter, here is an interesting resolution adopted on June 26th (a month after the Eurovision contest) by the Committee of Legal Affairs and Human Rights of the Council of Europe on political prisoners in Azerbaijan. Azerbaijani government calls these reports and analysis black pr and lies. I call it simple reflection of the truth and reality. Facts are facts, no one (including Council of Europe) would make so much noise out of this if everything was as perfect as Azerbaijani government claims it to be.

You can read more about resolution here.

Caviar and diplomacy

Who doesn't like caviar? I am sure there are plenty of people who don't and find it gross but this wont be about tastes and food. Well... I guess in a way it will be. As many of you know some of the best caviar in the world today comes from beluga sturgeon. Considered a luxury even back in the day with tsars and shahs treating their visitors with only the best of delicacies, caviar also came to represent a luxury. Azerbaijan and the Caspian basin was and is the source of this centuries old luxury. And as you would know by now, Azerbaijan and the concept of luxury are very much inter- connected. Azerbaijani authorities especially love everything thats lavish, expensive and glitzy. 

And so the title of this post, takes it after a recently published report by European Stability Initiative titled "Caviar Diplomacy- How Azerbaijani Silenced the Council of Europe" that explores the boundaries of caviar diplomacy, deals, and much more between corrupted Azerbaijani officials and no less corrupted European officials who indulge themselves in lavish presents. 

But I am going to stop here and let you read the report yourselves. Enjoy!

Caviar Diplomacy – How Azerbaijan silenced the Council of Europe

'Azerbaijan on the eve of Eurovision'- talking about the country with Gerald Knaus

Here is another interview at "Inside and Outside" with Gerald Knaus the founder and director of European Stability Initiative- Berlin- based think tank- talking about the situation in Azerbaijan, the country's extensive lobbying activities, human rights, freedom of expression and more... 

Here is the full interview.

And here is the report, ESI launched in 2011 "Generation Facebook in Baku. Adnan, Emin, and the Future of Dissent in Azerbaijan".

There is work currently underway to release a new report on Azerbaijan's lobbying activities within Europe.

A reality check...

My last two visits to Brussels  shaped up a rather clear vision of where EU stands in its relation to our region and Azerbaijan in particular. Conclusion drawn: my country, nor this region is a number one priority for international institutions, at least not when their interests are not at stake.

In a way, I am thankful to the honesty I saw in Brussels and yet I am frustrated at the same time. EU's biggest concert at the moment is the monetary crisis (surprise! surprise!). That is all parliament members talk about (more or less) and all they really care. Any discussion outside of this issue- including currently popular topics like visa- free travel/ visa facilitation are not of interest, let alone talk and lobbying on democracy building, human rights, freedom of expression and more.

In case of Azerbaijan, the situation is even clearer- "as long as Azerbaijan has oil and gas, no 'sticks' would be used" as having heating in their homes, is just as fair and a human right for every European citizen relying on Azerbaijan's natural resources (so who cares if people get arrested when Europeans are warm in their homes). 

To my surprise, things got even better, when during one of the meetings, a speaker suggested looking at all mighty mother Russia and asking for "democratic sticks" on its behalf towards Azerbaijan, especially as Europe will continue its cooperation with Azerbaijan no matter what.

For so many times now, I have been hearing the very same tune, that Azerbaijan presents a challenge and not an easy one. This challenge however, is not about improving the overall situation in the country and pushing the local government towards more democracy but rather to play it so well, that Azerbaijan is not pissed off and doesn't suddenly cut back its oil and gas delivery. As one of the officials mentioned "Azerbaijan makes it difficult for us to apply stricter rules because of oil and gas and that is a fact".

Yes, facts are facts, and reality is what it is. What is not clear is the whole basis and philosophy of such institutions. If European Neighborhood Policy is all about stability, prosperity and democracy, why then officials in Europe prefer looking the other way, only to resemble the "three wise monkeys"? 

Facts are facts, reality is what it is. If Azerbaijan is going to change, this change must and ought only come from within. The question is, will it be possible. Lets hope it is, sooner than later...

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…

"Azerbaijan's innocence and blind international perspective on just and democratic Azerbaijan"

Ah, when will our authorities realize that the international organizations are well aware of the reality on the ground and that there is no point of making fools out of themselves? 

Take this article for instance in which, Novruz Mammadov who heads International Relations Department at the Presidential Administration, comes across very surprised when commenting on recent OSCE and EU statements with regard to April 2nd protests and brutal police crackdown. 

The statement issued by the OSCE and the EU about the 2 April rally caused me surprised and regret.

Because according to Mammadov that was a "minor event" and such a "serious" reaction was unnecessary. Mr. Innocence further criticizes those established institutions for taking "such sensitive approach" and calls them biased. So you call the treatment of people below as "minor" and not "serious":

source

This is minor too?

Who are we kidding here really? Only ourselves Mr. Mammadov! Only ourselves! Its just so convenient and simple isn't it?! You lie and start living the lie yourself, loosing the border between the fake world and the real world. Well Mr. Mammadov, perhaps thats the main difference here, those institutions that you call sensitive and biased are from the real world, while you are from a planet unknown to the humankind...

Why did Azerbaijan join Council of Europe?

According to Samed Seyidov, who is the Chairman of the Azerbaijani Parliamentary Assembly to the PACE Azerbaijan joined the CoE for the following reasons (see the link and scroll down to read this quote): 

We joined the Council of Europe not for the sake of membership. We joined the Council of Europe for the sake of democracy, human rights and supremacy of the law. 

He then adds:

We will express our attitude openly if we see that any of these issues is used as a means of influence upon Azerbaijan's interests. 

Here, you have said it yourself Mr. Seyidov, that Azerbaijan joined Council of Europe "for the sake of democracy, human rights and supremacy of law" but I am having hard time seeing any of these notions applied in Azerbaijan. 

Where is democracy? Certainly its not in fake elections we have each time and more certainly its not in the way you treat your people when they protest on the streets. Or tell me, where is the human rights notion? Does it even exist in your vocabulary, because it looks like you use these words only when you want to and mostly for the internationals not the locals. Is it in the way you treat your journalists? Or anyone for that matter? Or tell me, what about supremacy of law? Is supremacy of law means that judges can be bought? Or does supremacy of law mean that they can imprison anyone they want just because someone "influential" demanded that person's arrest for the sake of their own personal happiness and comfort? 

Ah, Mr. Seyidov, if only you really knew the meaning of these notions. Its a pity that such sacred and important notions have become a joke to you and people like you, who have no idea and no understanding whatsoever of what these notions really mean... Sad... Very sad...

Ah these numbers...

http://i180.photobucket.com/
albums/x177/Beautifulx
Nobody/Photography/StopLying.jpg

I don't know about you but when it comes to numbers, especially statistical stuff, I take it seriously. But there is one place, statistics if which I never trust- State Statistical Committee of Azerbaijan Republic (or alternatively any other data shared by the authorities or any of the official bodies- with very very very very few exceptions). Yesterday, I came across this article on Facebook, posted by a friend who captioned it "who are you fooling ha?". I went on to see what it was all about and what pissed off my friend so much. And guess what it was about? Numbers, but to be more precise indicators of the number of Azerbaijani women heading municipalities. Lyudmila Khalilova, chairwoman of an association "Women in the name of development of municipalities" claims in this article, that women head in total 301 municipalities across the country which according to Khalilova "testifies of high level of their competence, intellectuality and entrepreneurial spirit". 

Was this statement made in a country where there were real municipalities, doing real municipal work, having real people employed there, with real intellectual, competent, entrepreneurial spirit I would have never even thought of writing a post like this. But because we are actually talking about municipalities in Azerbaijan, that don't fit any of the above mentioned qualifications I really do agree with my friend's captioning- "who are you fooling ha?"

In all honesty and for those who don't know much about municipalities in Azerbaijan, here are few basic facts:

1. Municipalities were established in Azerbaijan in 1999 (not because Azerbaijani government wanted to  establish municipalities but because Council of Europe put forward a requirement calling on the authorities to establish municipalities). The law on Municipal Elections and the Law on the Status of Municipalities were adopted in the same year;

2. Municipalities in Azerbaijan are not independent. While in theory they should be in practice in Azerbaijan, municipalities are subordinates of a body called executive committee or as its widely known ex- coms. (Ex- coms are like regional KGB offices, headed by individuals who are appointed by the president himself and who are said to bribe their own ways to actually become heads of ex- coms). A report prepared by the EU Committee of the Regions (December 2010) says:

[...] limited number of responsibilities allocated to municipalities by the law. In practice their responsibilities are even more limited and at best are related to the maintenance of municipal roads, cemeteries, parks and some aspects of the delivery of social  care that are not covered by the central government. Municipalities in most cases do not have adequate capacity, training or knowledge to carry out those limited responsibilities prescribed by law.

Another report concludes [Freedom House]:

Municipalities are, on paper, independent of the executive committees or local bodies of state administrations. In practice, municipalities have been strongly subordinate to the executive [ex- coms] [...] Executive committees carry out most functions assigned to municipalities, such as community service prohects, renovations, citizen registration, social services, and so on; municipal authorities have minimal responsibilities in terms of addressing real socioeconomic problems. Generally, they tend to be responsible for issues such as rood construction and social assistance to low income households not benefiting from state social program.

Could someone please tell me where does entrepreneurial and intellectual women fit in this description? they use their competent skills to think of new ways to reconstruct new roads? Or entrepreneurial skills to find ways to help poor families (mind you they wouldn't anyway)?   

3. Municipalities in Azerbaijan don't have a separate budget designated for their spending, therefore as a local institution most of the times, these bodies fail in carrying out any substantial community based renovation work or any kind of work overall.  They maintain their existence through land tax (as their sole responsibility is sale, lending and purchasing of land) and state subsidies. 

4. Municipal councils are usually made out of 5 to 19 members who are elected for a 5- year term. Elected council members then chose their own Municipal leader and two assistants. 

In 2009, the number of municipalities went from 2,757 to 1,766. Maybe for Ms. Khalilova having 301 municipalities headed by women is a great development, but with this kind of poor and inefficient institutional capacity even if all women take over these already existing municipalities not much will change as long as municipalities are not given proper responsibilities; regarded as government institutions rather than NGOs and are provided with a budget that let these municipality workers do things like getting involved in various community projects, engage youth, have interactive seminars and workshops, and educate community. 

But no, instead, Khalilova continues:

[...] women justified the trust placed in them by the government and voters, serving to the development of democratic values, strengthening of state and government, as well as improving the general welfare

What trust? Which democratic values? What kind of improvement is she talking about? Do you even know what these words really mean? Because they are not just empty words!

Eh... Khalilova, who are you even talking to? Much of the world knows how things really are in Azerbaijan? Who is this fake data is for? Who are you trying to fool? Yourself?! Maybe thats what it is! Maybe, all of this, is part of constant self re-assurance. Continue re- assuring yourself Khalilova... It obviously helps you clinging to life...

A warning from the Council of Europe

Following referendum held in Azerbaijan last week (March 18th), Azerbaijani state (or ruling family) once again showed that the power rests in their hands and to change that...well, much will had to be done!

While the whole process was boycotted and assessed negatively by the opposition, all the changes passed (with 90% turnover) including the controversial amendments on enabling president to stand as many times as he wants.  

In a reaction to the recent developments in the country, the Council of Europe warned Azerbaijan, that it could be expelled due to results of constitutional amendments. The referendum (especially the two articles) violated pledges made by Azerbaijan in 2002.

"We are speaking here on democracy and the rule of law. We believe that if there is no limit, the fact is that a president can turn into a dictator" 

said the senior council official Ian Miscallef.

However, it is rather questionable whether the state is concerned with regard to such warnings. After all, not a while ago, following the barring of BBC, Voice of America and Radio Free Europe a lot was said- a setback to freedom of speech and democratic reform, depriving listeners to access objective reports and etc. The result: radio stations no longer broadcast on radio frequencies they used to. Criticisms, comments and all that was said "went to one ear and got out of the other" simply vanishing and not changing anything. So, hardly, the state is going to annul the referendum, or change the unlimited presidency clause anytime soon.