A note for the Queen

Its been a while since I have made an entry here.

Busy times, and depressing news lines with an exception of occasional good stories here and there have not been too motivating. Just because things are, to put it gently are shit.

Back home crackdown continues unabated. Money is laundered and no one is to take responsibility for what is going on only to blame "others" whoever those others are still a mystery to me.

But then, I stumbled upon a status update shared on Facebook. It was not really a status update but a letter to the Queen of England herself. Below you may find rough translation of the status that for Russian speakers you may find here.

"Thoughts of provincial biopolitics 8 or an open letter to the Queen of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Her Majesty Elizabeth II. 

“Nobody tells me anything…” 

 James Galsworthy

You Majesty, Ilham Murtuzayev speaking here, from Azerbaijan. I would like to congratulate you albeit belatedly on your 90th birthday and wish you good health and well-being. However, in this regard, I have a delicate request to make. 

As far as we are allowed to know, our country, namely the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, has allocated a lump sum to celebrate your anniversary. 

I am 67 years old and I have about 50 years’ of professional experience. Currently, my pension is around 50-60GB pounds per month. One million pensioners in Azerbaijan receive approximately the same amount. 

I imagine it would be difficult for you to understand how one survives on this amount, and I won't even try explaining it to you. Perhaps, our president also does not know. 

That is why I hope you would understand my delicate request and refund this money to the poor Azerbaijani pensioners. 

Maybe you would want to donate this sum to a charity, but to paraphrase Mahatma Gandhi, one can say “Good purposes cannot be reached by bad money”.

I understand that this will not affect my pension (and neither it will yours) and I may as well be accused of international terrorism, religious extremism, drug or weapon trafficking and so on. 

Thank you, Your Majesty. 

Using this opportunity and while I have access to Internet, I would also like to appeal to some of the countries which also receive our money, and ask them not to build various centres, parks, monuments and etc. with the money of poor Azerbaijani pensioners. 

Even religious structures do not recommend that one engages with charity to the detriment of one’s own interests. However, in this case I am not sure that personal interests are being hurt. 

For example, about a year ago, we, a group of citizens from Gusar city sent a letter to the Haydar Aliyev Foundation asking to save from destruction our very ancient city park which has a 200-year-old history. We never received even an answer. 

However, the same Haydar Aliyev Foundation built an entertainment centre in Paris. 

It is hard to stay happy in such cases. I am kindly asking world communities to stop organizing “Eurovision”, “Formula 1”, European and other Olympic games in Azerbaijan. Also, please do not send always-smiling OSCE and other observers to Azerbaijan during various referendums, election monitoring and etc. Or, at least, please choose those who are allergic to black caviar. 

The same smiling observers visited Syria many times. It would be great to send them there nowadays.  

Azerbaijan has a lifetime prime minister, and other ministers (who have privatized their ministries), deputies (who were elected by no one) and even an ombudsman has been here for a lifetime?! 

On 26th September we had the referendum (I even saw three people who went to vote) and now, to call things by their names, even Mr President is here for life. 

80-90 per cent of goods in our country’s grocery stores are imported from Russia, Iran, Belarus, Ukraine and even Georgia!? We don’t even produce plastic buckets. The Baku – Russian border highway (250 km long) has been under construction for almost ten years. One billion US dollars has been spent on it. All the people involved in it have already bought houses, villas in London, Istanbul, Prague and elsewhere. 

But the highway is still under construction. When one section of road is ready, they immediately start to repair the previous one. 

Today is 28th October 2016. We are in Gusar city. There has been no gas since this morning, and at 5pm just when our residents were looking forward to getting their gas back, the electricity went down as well. It is exactly the same like it was 20 years ago…"

I think this letter sums up pretty well the shit show taking place in Azerbaijan right now or shall I say, taking place for the last 20 years? 

Interested in an all-expense paid trip to Azerbaijan? Here is your chance, don't miss out!

No joke! Turns out, the Ministry of Youth and Sports says [AZ] they will cover expenses of guests coming for the Youthvision-the Eurovision for young singers scheduled to take place June 22-24, they are just not saying how much this is going to cost the country's coffers. 

The irony in all this is that, Azerbaijan's economy devalued twice. The ministry of education recently spoke about "problems" in funding Azerbaijani students abroad. And yet, we are yet to pay for another all-expense paid visit (just like it was during the European Games last year). 

But it is ok. Because no one in Azerbaijan is going to say anything about it and the regime will continue abusing their power because they know there won't be resistance. And then they will start another mini war with Armenia and will shift the focus like they always do. 

Speaking in Davos in January 2016, President Aliyev said the the low in oil prices was "psychologically difficult". Wonder whose psychology he was referring to here? His? His family's? His cronies'? Because surely, it must be extremely difficult for their psychology to handle the reality that there will be less money to steal. And looks like they have determined a new strategy- if there is less for them, there will certainly be nothing for the people. 

You see, President Aliyev is all about moral barometers- we are better than X, Y, Z country although more often than not, the President's favorite country to compare Azerbaijan with, is neighboring Armenia boasting about the budget difference and the spending.

What he and people around him tend to forget (or neglect) however, is that whatever big investment is brought into the country- the Crystal Hall, the Stadiums, the Malls and the upscale shops- they ain't for the public consumption. Precisely because of the inequality and class difference that was created by and large during the Aliyev leadership (first his father, and later his son). 

Who will benefit from coming to Azerbaijan for three days in an all-expense paid trip in June? Tourists! Yes, they might spend some manats here and there, but by and large it will be the visitors. If the Ministry of Youth and Sports is so generous- why not spend that money on paying for Azerbaijanis vacation at home or abroad? 

But until this ever becomes possible (i am lucky to live outside of the country, because who knows, my head might get chopped off for saying all this) dear visitors who will attend the Youthvision or the Formula 1 race, enjoy beautiful Azerbaijan or at least what is left of it but don't forget the country you are visiting is pretty nasty when it comes to treating its own people and watching out for their well-beings. 

Eurovision Star Loreen calls for release of Rasul Jafarov

I'm Pissed and heart broken. My dear friend Rasul Jafarov has been sentenced to jail by Azerbaijani authorities. Please spread the word and let¹s get him out!#freerasul @crdefenders #Humanrights
Posted by Loreen on Monday, 20 April 2015

Antidote for repression- a new platform in the making

Back when Azerbaijan was the host of the cheesy pop song contest Eurovision, a campaign launched in support of democracy in Azerbaijan quickly built up attention around key human rights and freedom of expression issues that were skillfully covered by millions of euros poured into the "Light Your Fire" Eurovision campaign. The thick and high facades that unfortunately have become the "building blocks" of the so- called "democratic" government of Azerbaijan were challenged by an unusual rival- art. The launched campaign- "Sing for Democracy" had one goal- to inform contestants and the visitors of what kind of country they were actually coming to.

It was a successful initiative and needless to say, certainly not a popular one with the local authorities. But that didn't stop its founders- the Human Rights Club and its partner organizations the Institute for Reporters' Freedom and Safety and the Center for National and International Studies. Since the situation in Azerbaijan only deteriorates in this sphere, the spin off- Art for Democracy is continuing to fight for the cause. But it needs your help! As the initiative describes itself, "we are offering an antidote" and their focus is on art as its a very powerful tool in fighting repression.

Art for Democracy website - for human rights in Azerbaijan from epitype on Vimeo.

So please help! We would highly appreciate any contributions! There is no contribution too little, there is no contribution too big :)

To a "healthy" future of Azerbaijan!

In his 1949 novel, 1984, George Orwell writes, "If our leaders were thinking about what they could do for the country, they'd be considering its future, in short, its children". Our children are the future, but if a child is raised in a way that contradicts principles of equality, liberty and freedom, we cannot speak of a solid future. Anything else, will only bring perils and ills to a nation. 

Let us look at Azerbaijan. It does not fall short of what Orwell describes in his book as "[...] something huge, terrible and glittering- a world of steel and concrete of monstrous machines and terrifying weapons- a nation of warriors and fanatics, marching forward in perfect unity, all thinking the same thoughts and shouting the same slogans, perpetually working, fighting, triumphing, persecuting- three hundred million people all with the same face." If this is the goal and the kind of future Azerbaijani leadership is trying to built then there is no need to speak of a future because there simply is none. 

We cannot have a future in a country where there is a small percentage of super- wealthy having most of the power while the rest of the people are so severely dehumanized that they lose their "faces", their individuality, and their role in shaping their own future.

***

Known for some remarkable statements, head of the Social Political Department at the Presidential Administration Ali Hasanov, continued setting records with yet another remarkable statement two days ago. On December 26th, during an event organized to celebrate the one year anniversary of Youth Fund Mr. Hasanov noted "Azerbaijani youth must closely involve in solving state problems" adding "Unfortunately, during Eurovision, a group of youngsters paved a way to damage Azerbaijani image [instead of promoting Azerbaijan's music culture]". He called these young people radicals, "unhealthy" and that it is the responsibility of "healthy" youth to stand against this "small but active group of people". And just as he likes to make an entrance, Mr. Hasanov's exit was too nothing short of another remarkable statement, "Azerbaijani youth can handle five- ten lost youngsters, while in the meantime, continue to represent Azerbaijan abroad at its best".

I wonder what defines "healthy" youth according to Mr. Hasanov. I guess it is that very same faceless, robotized future?! Perhaps, someone needs to remind Mr. Hasanov that having an opinion and speaking truth doesn't make you lost, in fact, it makes you perfectly honest person on the right path. And so to representing Azerbaijan abroad at its best- well, gotta break the bad news to you, but representing a country at its best means actually to talk about the shortcomings, the missing components of a democratic country and not just talking about beautiful music, gorgeous carpets and so on.

I much rather have a country with young, vibrant, creative, young people (doing flashmobs, engaged in social activities, raising awareness and working to make this country a better place) than a country made of "healthy" youth afraid of saying that we failed at having democratic elections, that things are not great in Azerbaijan, that we have limited press freedom, that we have journalists behind bars and advocates intimidated, that we have corruption and that we cannot speak of a future where rich remain rich, while the rest of the people keep silent and in a state of constant fear.

Let everyone decide for themselves rather than impose your "ideology of greatness" on others. People have a mind of their own, we, the young generation of Azerbaijan can connect the dots. Oh, and I almost forgot, we are perfectly healthy.

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

Azerbaijan, the land of...

We all saw tonight (26th of May) that Azerbaijan is the land of many things- fire, energy, friendships, lights and much more. Baku looked modern, full of life, comfort and luxury. The footage from various regions showed mountains, rivers, museums, carpets... But what audience didn't get to see is the real state of the country that just spent 800million on a kitsch Eurovision contest while its regions remain without water, electricity, gas and other key infrastructural needs. 

A report below prepared by Al Jazeera (with accompanied article) looks in just one of these problems- water issues and provision across the country with a focus on just one of the many places where people live with limited access to water. 

Eurovision, running scared when the music dies

This is my latest piece written for Osservatorio Balcani e Caucaso on this year's Eurovision host Azerbaijan. The original article can be accessed here.

Eurovision Running Scared When the Music Dies

Azerbaijan and Eurovision (post no. 19098942093)

Here is a piece of gossip you probably missed watching Eurovision today. A young man, by the name of Rauf Mardiyev sent me a tweet calling me "brainwashed" and "stupid" (indirectly that is, through his tweets) following tweets being sent out throughout the last give or take few years about Azerbaijan, its poor democratic and human rights record, not to mention issues and problems existing with free press, and freedom to speak one's mind. It turns out, Azerbaijan's democracy is limited to only praises and words of gratitude because when it comes to criticism its not all ok. 

Translation: @arzugeybulla Will you write anything positive about this #Eurovision? Why don't you understand (your brain doesn't take it literally), what you are doing is damaging #Azerbaijan in the first place

Now, personally I would love to raise praising words when it comes to Azerbaijan, was there a democracy I would be the first to say cheers! Would there be free press and respect for Azerbaijani journalists, I would be the first to say cheers! But Rauf, as long as none of this exists, people continue going through corrupted universities and schools, patients continue to pay bribes in hospitals and fail to receive proper health care there is nothing to praise this country for. Of course, we might have different perceptions of praise- as you say "thousands like you" see Azerbaijan as a shining beacon of whatever it is that you see it to be but as I have said it already earlier today, I am going to repeat it again- WAKE UP! 

Yes, Eurovision brought us the Crystal Hall, but at what costs? I much rather prefer couple of hundreds thousands spent on our very own pensioners, on the costs of drugs they need to get, make it free or at least equally accessible for all among so many things that could be done to make lives of Azerbaijani people better.

Yes, it is also true that Eurovision brought us the city beautification, but again, at what costs? So you don't care about those Azerbaijanis who still have no water, gas, or electricity constantly running in their homes in villages all the while you and the tens of thousands like you prefer watching Eurovision and indulge yourself in wealth that is not equally distributed, nor equally accessible to other young people like you. 

If you think there is something good to say about Eurovision then talk about illegal evictions our government carried out. You should also talk about beaten, arrested journalists in prisons. Or, wait, I know, you should praise our country for blackmailing, it does it really well. 

You might be one of the hundreds of thousands but the value and weight of spoken truth is so much more than the people like you. You are trying to tell a story backwards but what you are failing to see is that the story was already told, many times and just like me, people who know, know... So if you think that by sending me few tweets as the one above, calling me brainwashed I am going to be ashamed of my actions and become a "different" person then you are mistaken (in fact, I am not sure all together why you send me tweets to this day, didn't way close this subject a while ago when you continuously decided for some reason to take up your issues with me as if I am the only person who writes about our inspirational country?). I choose honesty over whatever it is you live and propagate for.

Maybe after watching this report on Azerbaijan (watch on BBC) you will at least stop harassing me on Twitter. Peace out!

Here are the rest of the tweets we exchanged after the initial one: 

Azerbaijan on Channel 4

UK's Channel 4 prepared this report about Azerbaijan, this year's host of Eurovision song contest. I have just one small comment- Jamal was arrested in March 2012 not 2009. Other than that well done!

'Hypocrisy'

'Hypocrisy' is a short promo video about Azerbaijan and the hidden "treasures" behind Eurovision glitz and glamor.

Azerbaijani police ready to protect Eurovision in full fashion (updated)

This is the full security Azerbaijani government is promising the EBU (European Broadcasting Union) during Eurovision song contest. Keep silent EBU because Eurovision as you say is not politicized and the police protecting you is not politicized at all, especially in a country like Azerbaijan. 

Source: http://on.fb.me/KWdKBF

Updated May 16th:
And here is a video (read the full story here) from Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFEL) of May 14th.

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.

"Spotlight on Azerbaijan"

This a recent report (May 12, 2012) published by the Foreign Policy Center on Azerbaijan, the country's pressing human rights record, corruption, rule of law, freedom of expression and more. 

 

Spotlight on Azerbaijan

'Throwing Spitballs from Berlin to Baku'

This is one of my recent articles written for Transition Online about a young satirist, commentator and video blogger living in Berlin and doing what he does best- playing "satirical" games with Azerbaijan's government. Here is a short excerpt from that article, to read the full story click here.

[...] The satirical publications that have taken their place steer clear of politics. But not Abdullayev. The 28-year-old continues to throw pitballs at Aliyev and his henchmen from 2,200 miles away in Berlin, where he moved in 2002 to follow his father, a political activist who had been threatened by the government [...]

Azerbaijan valuing glitz over human rights (via storify)

Azerbaijan- among most censored countries

via http://www.ethicparty.org/presse.html

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) released a new report on the "Most Censored Countries" in the world on May 2nd. 

Azerbaijan, is a country that is singled out for its record of press harassment in all the possible senses of this phrase and is not surprisingly among the "Runners up" countries of the report, standing strong and firm together with countries like Turkmenistan, China, Ethiopia, Vietnam, and Sudan. 

I guess having fancy boutique shops and promo videos of beautiful nature doesn't really improve the records does it- not everyone can be treated as sheep after all!

And here is a video by the Human Rights Watch that summarizes what I just wrote very well.

Ah the Eurovision!

Source: Google Images

The Eurovision is fast approaching. The country hosting the competition this year- Azerbaijan- is also fast approaching. You know what? The mere ridiculousness of its current spending allocated to the contest. And we are not talking of few thousand of dollars here. In fact, this country is fast approaching the title of  being one of the few (if not the only since no one would invest so much in a silly song contest) countries in the whole history of the song contest. 

Why? To show- off would be the likely answer (and also because there is no logical one really!). The irony is that while it invests millions (USD75.7 to be precise) in a glitz event of the year, the government continues to keep a tight lid on its other spending like education, health care or social care. But I wont be writing about that this time. Instead, I am going to write about a very "generous contribution"that was allocated to the veterans of the WWII just yesterday. Get ready for the numbers ladies and gents because while we waste millions we cannot afford going over 500AZN [RUS] for the people who really are the heroes (ehm... no offense to Ell and Nikki who are too considered "heroes" by many in Azerbaijan) of this country (the money allocated takes into account families and widows of the veterans). The total amount allocated makes around AZN7.5million. 

I just don't understand why waste so much money on something thats going to last for few days when you can built a better future and provide sufficient support to those who are in need and on constant basis rather than one- time only installments as a sign of noble charity? 

What a silly question though, because no one cares about sustainable development. We should spend more now on useless things like Eurovision so that tomorrow, when we have nothing left, we can take apart the Crystal Hall (Eurovision concert hall) and use it for barter when everyone starts running scared (minus the mountains, the sea, and most importantly the dog) from Azerbaijan...

Azerbaijan, Eurovision, Democracy

I just received this through OSI mailing list. Interesting and worth reading about upcoming Eurovision contest in Azerbaijan and the country's current "state-of-mind" when it comes to freedom of expression, democratic values and journalists' rights.

Azerbaijan's Euro- Vision: What Perspectives for Democracy and Human Rights?