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. 

Santa had a detour

Yea, looks like Azerbaijan wasn't on Santa's radar and thats why he was a day late. Or maybe Azerbaijani officials bribed sacred Santa too. Who knows... 

But surely, someone wished it very hard for the country's remaining independent outlet to go quiet. And it happened. 

This morning, Azadliq Radio (Radio Liberty Azerbaijan Service) had special guests. It wasn't Santa, nor was Santa's cute little helpers. It was the state prosecutor office staff. Armed with their own "witnesses" and guess what? They weren't dressed up either nor did they come bearing presents and season's greetings. 

So they came in, gathered Radio staff all in one room, cut the phone lines and internet connection and began the raid. They even broke into the Radio's safe. Yea! I guess they didn't get many presents so they decided to raid for their own.

Documents, equipment, memory cards, and the company seal were confiscated. 

Azadliq Radio was under attack for a while now. First its radio channels were blocked from broadcasting on local radio waves. Then its journalists were persecuted in various forms. 

On December 3rd, the country's chief of staff claimed the radio was spreading lies. Then two days later, the authorities arrested the radio's journalists and the host of the radio show Khadija Ismayil, and last but not least they have raided the office. 

Oh and to make things a tat bit more fun, on December 23rd, the Azerbaijan parliament happily adopted amendments to the country's media law giving the local courts carte blanche in shutting down media outlets the government does not like.

Happy New Year folks!

Number eight

Dedicated to 8 young men currently facing jail time. For what? For speaking their mind! For being young and for doing what they believe in! They have been on a hunger strike as a sign of protest but it has done little to change the wicked orders. This is yet another disgusting attempt by the authorities to silence the country's future- its youth.

***

why do you hate?

for what, oh please be kind and reiterate

and please tell me there is an expiration date

on that deep, disgusting hate!

is it for freedom of one's mind?

or your jealousy of an existence of such mankind?

don't worry the day will come for you to find

the punishment for suffering you've mastermind

but till then lets evaluate your hate

oh yes, that's filthy, gross and nasty state

so let's begin with who you are?

a snake? awaiting for your bait?

that sounds just about right

a snake-that bites at day and night

who else you are?

no, no, you are a madman sucked in hate

and all you care about is large estate

living a life in that presumptuous state

you are a truly snake, with venom ready not just for 8

despite you knowing their innocence

you bite right through them without any wait

just like a vicious snake would readily disarm its bate

but not to worry, there is a cure even for your hate

there is this thing called justice gate

and soon you too will hit its door

and there you'll see the sadness you've deplored

the pain you have imposed upon

the lies you've fed, not once

and not just to innocent number 8

but to the millions of this country's men

IGF2012 through Storify

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