'Don't let them be silenced'

This is a video prepared by Amnesty International as part of its new report on Azerbaijan (you can also read the following post here on the report and the report itself). 

Amnesty's YouTube channel posted this video on its page with the following description:

The spring that never blossomed: Freedom suppressed in Azerbaijan, details a wave of intimidation and arrests around protests against corruption and the increasing suppression of independent media, non-governmantal organizations (NGOs) and opposition parties. 

Since then, youth activists and opposition figures have been jailed on arbitrary or trumped up charges while journalists and human rights defenders have been threatened and harassed.

You can access the video either through AI's official YouTube page or watch it here.  

'The spring that never blossomed: freedoms suppressed in Azerbaijan'

And finally, Amnesty International's new report on Azerbaijan is pubic. "Azerbaijan: the spring that never blossomed- freedoms suppressed in Azerbaijan" can be accessed at the Amnesty International's website here: http://www.amnesty.org/en/library/info/EUR55/011/2011/en

The report only shows how far Azerbaijani authorities can go to silence its dissent. The deputy director of Amnesty International in Europe and Central put it very well: "Azerbaijan has achieved the bones but not the meat of a democracy [...]"

There are full accounts of the spring protests, as well as numbers of those arrested, detained, and sentenced as a result. 

I fully agree when the report concussions, one of which stresses the role of oil and gas and its significance  for the international community while basic freedoms only being a matter of secondary importance. 

You can read the report here as well or access and download it through Amnesty's website and the links provided above. 

AmnestyReport_Azerbaijan

Eynulla Fatullayev finally FREE

It took a decision by the European Court of Human Rights, campaigns, statements, reports, talks and action campaigns to finally after four years of long and tough struggle to see one of Azerbaijan's most critical journalist, Eynulla Fatullayev, finally taste freedom after four years spent in jail on ambiguous charges, paying what many would call, the price for ones' openness and commitment in bringing out truth. 

He was charged with defamation, libel, accused of terrorism, his newspaper was shut down, and he had to go through hell before being released. Surely, its all part of the greater struggle, and surely that struggle is ain't easy and there is a price to pay. But the news of his release today, probably caused many to celebrate in Azerbaijan. Indeed, this is a perfect cause for celebration. 

Fatullayev's release came shortly after an online campaign was launched by Amnesty International ahead of its International Media Awards 2011. Of course, local frenzies of the government picked up on the action, and retaliated, or at least thought they did with silly tweets circulating around, trying to change the whole point of the campaign. According to this post on Global Voices some of the supporters and members from 'IRELI', an equivalent of Russia's pro- Putin 'Nashi' launched anti- Amnesty Twitter campaign trying to avert the attention with photoshopped images and slogans like "if you are that fair then start a campaign over occupied #Karabakh! #Azerbaijan' adding 'and it will be better if you stop blurring the image of #Azerbaijan' and etc. 

What IRELI did, was a typical reaction- Azerbaijani authorities and its supporters hate it when something negative is said about the country and especially when it has to do with human rights, freedom of expression, arrested journalists, elections and what not. Of course no one wants to talk about it and keep is hush hush but every once in a while, we too get a piece of good news, just like we did today, hearing about Eynulla's release. 

But this doesn't mean that the spot light on Azerbaijan should fade away, contrary, criticisms, reactions, statements must continue calling for release of other arrested bloggers, journalists, activists who too were charged with baseless accusations and put away in prisons. 

Eynulla Fatullayev is FREE, lets hope he will not be the only one pardoned...

'Join us and urge Azerbaijan to free Eynulla Fatullayev'

A campaign launched by Amnesty International calls on everyone to take action and join supporters in calling on the Azerbaijani authorities to release arrested journalist Eynulla Fatullayev who was imprisoned in 2007 on baseless charges and despite recent ruling by the European Court of Human rights remains in prison on additional drug possession charges. 

Here is what you have to do to join the action:

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...

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...

Mr. President pardons many this year but not Eynulla Fatullayev

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And this year as well, we wont be seeing Eynulla Fatullayev coming home and celebrating 2011 with his family and friends. 

Yesterday, on December 29th, President of Azerbaijan, llham Aliyev pardoned many but not Eynulla. More so, none of the 20 political prisoners are on the list of those who were pardoned. 

According to Saida Gocamanli, member of the Azerbaijan Right's Protection Monitoring Center 

"We hoped that at least Eynulla Fatullayev will join the ranks of freed prisoners. We congratulate all those who have been pardoned but we are saddened that none of the 20 political prisoners who are on our list were freed" 

in her interview with Radio Free Europe Radio Liberty Azerbaijan Service [AZ].

November 11

Yesterday, November 11th, was the day when a court decision in the capital of Baku changed lives of two young bloggers- Emin Milli and Adnan Hajizada sentencing them to imprisonment based on faked charges of hooliganism and inflicting of intentional body harm exactly a year ago on this day. 

Also yesterday, the Supreme Court of Azerbaijan agreed to finally approve the verdict to release Eynulla Fatullayev issued by the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR). While initially local news outlets reported on most of the charges against arrested journalist and editor-in-chief of Realniy Azerbaijan imprisoned in 2007 drop, it didn't take long for the Supreme Court come up with a reason to keep him in prison. 

The Supreme Court, retroactively increased the sentence on tax evasion- initially two months- to two years and three months and 15 days. Eynulla already served two years and three months worth of his sentence, however, in December 2009, he was given additional charge for drug possession ( in prison (dismissed by Fatullayev himself however not accepted at the court). So, with this final decision, and the total time Eynulla already served, the Court managed to keep him in prison and claim that the time he has spent already in prison will be deducted from the time he was charged with tax evasion (which is exactly two years, three months and 15 days) and keep him for drug possession.

According to Elchin Sadigov, the lawyer of the arrested journalist "The Plenum had not authority to retroactively increase the prison sentence for the defendant".   

Sitting at a 7th South Caucasus Media Conference in the capital of Georgia, organized by the OSCE,  and listening to the representative from Azerbaijan Presidential Apparatus saying that Emin and Adnan were just hooligans, arrested with other 2000 hooligans in 2009, one cannot but wonder where Azerbaijan is going... Its so ironic that whenever it works for the government and authorities it claims that it follows European or American standards but for some reason none of these standards are applied on the ground when it comes to many things, including freedom of media, access to information, journalists' safety and much more...

Hunger strike in Azerbaijan

Following ECHR's (European Court of Human Rights) final "decision calling for an immediate release of Eynulla Fatullayev, edit-in-chief of 'Gundelik Azerbaijan' and 'Realniy Azerbaycan' newspapers" issued on October 4th and Azerbaijani authorities so far failing to execute the decision, a number of journalists united in a hunger strike.

A tweet feed from ljmaximus  informed of another three writers joining (replacing the previous three journalists) the strike today.

On October 4th, ECHR ruled its decision as final under Article 44.3, paragraph C of the European Convention of Human Rights.

"Down with YAPartheid"

I wish I could have come up with this slogan, but its not mine. The author of these words is a journalist who is still in prison despite numerous international calls to release him. His name is Eynulla Fatullayev. And these words are part of campaign he started in prison.

According to his lawyer Elchin Sadigov, the imprisoned journalist decided to "engage in an active election campaign". 

The campaign came at a time when pro- government Azerbaijan media has been actively involved in attacking Eynulla whilst his stay in prison. 

The other election campaign slogan is "For your and my freedom"- the motto of Monitor magazine, an independent magazine that was critical of the regime and whose editor in chief was shot dead by his apartment in 2005. 

***YAP is the name of the ruling party: Yeni Azerbaycan Partiyasi (New Azerbaijan Party)