12 million for branding but only 275 euros for a family who lost their home

So here is the deal, president Aliyev love to splurge. Yes, we all know that by now. He loves to splurge for himself, for his family and of course, for his country. And splurging comes in various amounts, shapes and forms. You need a museum, lets splurge. The State Oil Company needs a new glass building, lets splurge, you get the picture. 

The other kind of splurging comes in a package titled "image branding". That kind of splurging takes a whole lot of $$$€€€ and Azerbaijani Manats. We have done a lot of this kind of splurging too. The Eurovision, the Flame Towers, the Flag Pole, the European Games, the F1. We have hosted a whole series of conferences and summits that only our part of the world seems to know about although rarely gets to hear about it. 

The most recent image branding activity took place not long ago in Baku as part of the 42nd Chess Olympiad. The government reportedly spent some 12million EUR covering all costs of international competitors. If you don't remember, we also picked up the tab during the European Games. In fact, this is becoming just like an old Azeri habit of picking up the bill when you are out with guests. 

How generous of us. 

And while over 300 guest players got to enjoy lavish opening on September 1, kilometers away from the capital a family in Serek village struggled to grab attention of local media as well as the government officials as they were forced to sleep outside when their old home got heavily damaged as a result of a heavy rain.  

The family has asked pretty much every government institution for help but so far they have had little success. In fact, all they have been promised was 275eur to buy some construction material. The mother of three and the owner of the house is not happy. "What can you buy with that? We lost everything, what kind of treatment is this?" 

She has a point. But will anyone budge? 

The opening of the chess tournament featured glitz and glamour as per usual. Image branding was a success this time as well but what about the people?  

Gotta love this!

From our beloved president's Twitter account

(Updated on 03.07.2014)

The amazing quotes just keep on coming- these two for instance are my two new favorites! I wonder where its possible to find this "will" and "priority" 'cuz let me tell you, it ain't real! Perhaps there are special glasses or maybe an outfit one must wear to see this so- called "will"?! And if there is then they gotta' be available for everyone, not just the President!

The Republic of Azerbaijan declared the fight against corruption a priority of its presidency of the (cont) http://t.co/VSMGbrBiK1
— Ilham Aliyev (@presidentaz) July 1, 2014

There is a strong political will to successfully combat corruption in Azerbaijan.
— Ilham Aliyev (@presidentaz) July 1, 2014

We cooperate successfully within international organizations. In particular, our delegations to the Council (cont) http://t.co/LtTiQp5zMN
— Ilham Aliyev (@presidentaz) June 17, 2014

That is caviar diplomacy in the making in case you didn't notice the depth in meaning of "within" and "active cooperation" part.
 

All fundamental freedoms are guaranteed in Azerbaijan. There are free media and free internet.
— Ilham Aliyev (@presidentaz) June 16, 2014

I think I will stick to this post keeping it updated with more amazing quotes to come (see updates in the beginning of the text)!

Happy Women's Day in a not so happy world

I come from an ex- Soviet country. March 8th, was a big thing back home. In fact, it still is. I think its a holiday even. But when I think of women at home and women all around the world, there is not much happiness that I see out there waiting for them. At home, women are subject to domestic violence, speaking of gender equality makes one automatically a feminist and overall respect for women only comes when she becomes a mother and reaches the age of 60 or 70. 

We also have this heavy burden of something called honor and though perhaps not as severe as it is in Turkey (where honor killings is a popular practice) there are cases of violence against women or punishment for simply lets say crossing paths with a young boy.

The other day, as I was strolling down the streets of Baku, I witnessed how a young man (somewhere around in his 20s) was slapping his female friend (probably his wife). There were three men who passed by, but no one said anything. I stopped, watched him for a while, scream and shout at her (I thought my presence there, would make him stop but I was wrong) when I finally asked him why is he beating her up? He was taken by a surprise. "She betrayed me" was his first response. "I work day and night, for her and yet she lies to me" he then added, to which crying young woman lifted her head and said it wasn't true. I tried explaining to him that this is not right, and that he should apologize and they should try talking. He listened carefully, but I don't know what happened next. I watched him walk away but what happened later, nobody knows. 

And so on the day like today, thinking of that young woman sitting on the ground, crying, I wish and hope for no violence against women, equality and respect, and support to women all around the world. We all are born equal in this world, and we should all fight (men including) violence against women and demand equal rights for women. Happy Women's Day!

Mentality of our Azerbaijani bones

I have lived in several countries in my 20 something life, and nowhere did I hear the word mentality used so often than in my home sweet home Azerbaijan. 

What is this mentality? Some degree of machismo? Or maybe superiority?

Apparently in Azerbaijan it means a lot. For instance, comedians dressing up in women's clothes (which is something many comedians around the world do) is considered "as contradictory to Azerbaijani mentality". Or so says, one of our parliament members Fazil Mustafa. I wonder what else Mr. Mustafa considers as contradictory after hearing him say this. 

I am just curious since when this has become contradictory? Its been done through centuries. Should I remind you of Shakespeare?

You see this is why Azerbaijan is lagging behind with the whole concept of gender equality and women's rights. I am not a feminist, nor will I ever be one (this is just a side note for those whose minds it crossed). I am just for equality and for removal of such senseless expressions as "against/contradictory to mentality". Yes we have a very traditional society where men and women are not treated as equals, where woman's place is at home and man's at work, where women get most of the time off work when they give birth and men get none, even though the baby belongs to both of them, and they should both be entitled to spend the initial (and crucial) first months with the baby and... Wait a second, where was I? Ah right, family, equality and gender, oh and lets not forget the key word in this post- mentality!

So yes, mentality and what contradicts it- maybe its time we really start breaking the stereotypes within our heads?! Mentality is just another excuse for men and sometimes even women to bring it up as an argument, an exit strategy. It doesn't suit us!

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.

Azerbaijan's syndrome of "positive developments" vs. negative reality

"Lets also look at the positive developments. Not everything is so bad in Azerbaijan". I have been hearing these words over and over again and especially more so lately. For obvious reasons, proponents of the Azerbaijani government dislike anyone who voices criticism when it comes to the situation with the human rights, freedom of press, social services, and pretty much everything that concerns average Azerbaijani citizens. And these are the magic words of "wisdom".

But lets be real here. What I am about to say kind of goes back to the post I wrote yesterday about what Roland Kobia, the head of the EU delegation to Azerbaijan said about the President and the upcoming elections- "he has done a good job". Yea, well, I hate to disappoint but he hasn't really. And here is why. 

Yesterday, I spoke at the European Parliament, on the present day of Azerbaijani political plurality, freedom of expression, women rights and more. While much of my focus was on the situation from a perspective of a blogger, and I chose to cover only some of the pressing issues at home. But it was really a question from the audience that prompted me to write this post and address this issue of "positive development". 

Lets start by looking at some numbers and indicators:

Internet 

- 73% of daily Internet users in Azerbaijan are male;

- 72% of Facebook users are male;

- 17% of women ever used the Internet

Women

- 16% of parliament members are women (all of them members of the ruling party; there are no opposition representatives in the parliament as of last parliamentary elections);

- 0% of women head ministries (minus the Committee for Family Women and Children Issues);

- 14% of judges are female;

- 26% are members of the local governments

And this is in a country that likes to bring up the facts about its history and the place of women. Like a right to vote that was granted to women in Azerbaijan in 1918.

Economy and social condition (see this report for further statistical data by the European Commission)

- 151.9AZN is average pension;

- much of economic growth is generated through oil and gas sector;

- the share of agriculture went from 15.9% in 2000 to 6.4% in 2009;

- indicators for manufacturing, and non- oil activities all dropped in the last several years;

- increased public expenditure is not directed toward human development especially if you look at heatlh and social care services not to mention education (and the rate of corruption, especially in education);

- if in 2003, expenses for social security stood at 18.2%, according to available statistics of 2009, it dropped to 9.7%;

- similarly education expenses dropped from 23.7% to 11.6% in 2009 and etc.;

- while in absolute terms, social expenses have increased, in relative terms they have decreased;

- the employment rate is low for age groups 15- 19; 20- 24; 

I wont link to the international reports about the situation with regard to the human rights and the freedom of press, or Azerbaijan's yet another "amazing" performance on the corruption index of the Transparency International. This was just to put things into a context especially for those who say things in Azerbaijan are not that bad and there is progress and development.

When are you people going to understand that your audience 90% of the time knows the real facts and that its completely inappropriate (not to say inadequate, unrealistic, and delusional) to speak of 2003 elections as democratic and that such remarks only make you look like fools. 

 

And so, when I am told or asked to speak of the positive as well, my only response is that only once we resolve and deal with some of our pressing issues as we should be I will speak about the positive. We, an Azerbaijani nation, of some 9.2 million inhabitants, deserve a future that is not mocked or criticized. Our government is accountable for acting within the principles of our constitution and our laws. Our political leaders who consider themselves mighty Gods need to look beyond their noses and narrow- minded vision. The future is not about Shakiras, Rhiannas, Flame Towers, Eurovision concert halls and what not. The future is what we do today. And you, and your cronies around you have done nothing positive for the people.

So lets cut to the chaise, and instead of talking positive, deal with the negative...

Why we should strive to be better...

"... lets be clear, we are not comparing like with like" wrote Neelie Kroes on her personal blog reflecting on this past week's IGF held in Baku while referring to some of the EU member states as Hungary, Bulgaria, and Greece where freedom of expression issues are also present. Indeed, we are not and should not compare like with like, especially when that "like" has to do with which country has worse human rights record or more journalists facing bogus imprisonment charges.

Azerbaijan is no Pakistan yes, where recently a 14 year old school girl blogged about the difficulties at her school under the Taliban regime and got a shot in a head for that (this is not to say we should forget Elmar Huseynov's case, who too was brutally murdered on the door steps into his apartment in 2005). 

For all the critical remarks, statements and comments voiced during the conference there is a lesson to be learned for those who speak of the reality in Azerbaijan and for the Azerbaijani government. We, Azerbaijanis, living in and outside of Azerbaijan must continue telling the truth about the situation on the ground with regard to human rights, net freedom, freedom of expression, political prisoners, and prisoners of conscience. We must continue discussing the difficulties the country's citizens face as a result of lack of "generosity" of the country's greedy officials (lets not start debating which official owns how much). Azerbaijani government, should stop comparing itself to country's that are doing much worse in any of the above mentioned aspects and realize that counter arguing international reports that only state the obvious when it comes to human rights record or the state of the free press damages already shaken image of a country that once was a promising land of freedom, equality and liberty.

Why strive to be better? Well, one message to the authorities is to accept and try to improve rather than shrug it off. Why? Wouldn't be so much better when for once something positive is written about Azerbaijan? Why not improve the situation? Why not strive to be a better country?

What I saw during IGF was that Azerbaijan's government representatives actually do not understand the importance of hosting such important and global events. We might be the "Dubai of the Caucasus", we might have high-end boutiques selling non-affordable (at least for most of the Azerbaijanis) products, we might have construction boom but its not something to talk about during a venue as IGF nor it is a place to tell its visitors to enjoy the PRed-Eurovision-flashy videos while forgetting (or not considering?!) to provide translators (to Azerbaijani) for the opening session and boasting of the development of its ICT sector while failing to provide fast internet connection at an internet focused forum.

It is also not a place to prove anything. The majority of participants and speakers at IGF already knew the situation in the country. Watching short promo videos on Azerbaijan wont form their opinion. Few statements on how things are perfectly fine in the country wont convince them. If proving and convincing is the case, then why is it that every time someone from the government or pro- government raised a question in the audience or made a remark quickly disappeared from the room never staying for after discussion after the sessions (essentially showing that none of things said matter because they don't care because they refuse to accept)? 

I understand that its difficult to accept ones faults and weaknesses. But things can, should and must be improved. Instead of claiming to have free access to Internet why not assure and guarantee Azerbaijani citizens, advocates, activists freedom of expression? Why issue bogus arrest warrants? These people would not write what they write if things were as perfect as officials describe! 

Looking ahead, and trying to think positively, perhaps Azerbaijani state officials will take this forum as an opportunity to sort itself out (which doesn't mean to arrest more journalists, shut bloggers up, and take other terrible measures against advocates). We must be better! We could be better! We need to be better! We need to be building future while not destroying the wealth we have! We don't need Guccis, Burberrys and Dolce&Gabbanas. We need uncorrupted education. We need smarter spending measures. We need to work on our reputation and we need to start now. Perhaps, the first step would be to release imprisoned journalists and let them do their job?! 

IGF2012 is over, but the difficult situation in Azerbaijan isn't. So I am also asking international actors, organizations and representatives who were here this past week, don't forget of your promises and don't give up on Azerbaijan. There is still hope...

Talking about women in Azerbaijan

Yesterday I had an opportunity to speak about women rights and their presence online in Azerbaijan. Here is the video.

Interview with Arzu Geybullayeva @ IGF12 from APC on Vimeo.

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

'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.  

"Azerbaijan [not] working to strengthen civil society"

I am appalled. According to this article "Azerbaijan working to strengthen civil society" published in some local US paper, Azerbaijan "is a gradually evolving democracy with freedom of speech in which opposition parties are playing an increasingly outspoken and prominent role in civil society". Its a country where opposition newspapers "publish freely" and where "social and economic development was proceeding, along with religious tolerance [...]".

The article sums the results of a meeting organized by the Joint Working Group for the Implementation of International Human Rights Standards. They are based in Baku, Azerbaijan. This Joint Working Group, has all sorts of members- judges, economists, human rights experts and more. I am just curious which human rights expert in the right state of his/her mind could conclude that Azerbaijan is improving steadily its human rights record. Nor I can imagine an economist who could say there is fair distribution of economic revenues or that there is any other steadily developing economic sector other than oil and gas.

I would also very much like to ask Judge Jean- Paul Moerman, a member of Belgium's Constitutional Court who was at the meeting, where is he seeing the evolving commitment to freedom of expression in Azerbaijan? Release of Eynulla Fatullayev (whom he calls "opposition- leaning militant journalist") was a fight worth years. I wonder what Mr. Moerman have to say about other imprisoned journalists or activists or political party members. Perhaps in his mind this too is only a sign of a democratic state? 

How is it possible that someone living in Azerbaijan, seeing the bitter reality can actually say or write something like this?! If you are so certain of this transparent, democratic and honest reality then why not get this article published in a bigger newspaper? Why not Guardian or NYTimes or WashingtonTimes? 

Perhaps Mr. Shahin Camalov, the Co-Chair of the Joint Working Group and the rest of his colleagues are in a state of trans, pretending to pretend for the sake of pretending and not caring. Whatever it is that prompted this institution to write something like this shows how superficial, simple and unaware they are. They simply choose to say something for the sake of saying, hoping at best to get a pat on a shoulder. And you call yourselves a joint working group for the implementation of international human rights standards! All of what you have concluded in your so- called meeting, makes me want to question whether you even know what human rights are, let alone what  international human rights standards stand and call for... How shallow... how shallow gentlemen... 

Azerbaijan's never ending insane development projects

If Azerbaijan was a place where people lived in full equality, where journalists had their full rights, where social welfare was at its best and everything was just fine, I would have probably applauded this project. But in a country where minimum salaries can't cover living costs and where freedom of expression, human rights, social protection programs, education, health care and other services are literally collapsing this is for sure a waste of money. And don't tell me Azerbaijani people need this- what Azerbaijani citizen living in a a village in Lenkoran needs, is a proper sewage system, heating and electricity, not to mention a salary and conditions good enough to keep his/her family happy and healthy. Perhaps instead of commissioning these over-the-top initiatives, our respective bodies of governance should channel this money to at least some of the multiple problems that actually are more important at this point than building an Olympic Stadium?!

Humiliation, betrayal, helplessness

Violence against women is nothing new. Numerous international organizations fight for women's rights all around the world. And in Azerbaijan, violence against women is persistent in many regions if not widespread across the country. Hundreds if not thousands of women are subject to violence on daily basis.  

In the framework of "Youth for Gender Equality" [AZ] program  organized by AEGEE (European Students Forum) in Baku, a group of participants presented a video that tells a story of a girl who is married without her consent and eventually commits a suicide to free herself. 

I came across the video at Zjala Najafova's blog [AZ]- a talented and bright woman from Azerbaijan, who is also in the video:

 

A number of other videos were produced and are available on YouTube. The following are the titles and the links: 

- Color the equality with a pen of difference

 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zolfkXJb1F4)

- Gender discrimination in two parts 

 (PART 1- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J2Wy3ASrmGY&feature=related

  PART 2- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FygCdTbenJo&feature=related)

- Violence against women (the one embedded)

- Discriminated victims in two parts

 (PART 1- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uVXbShgrUkM&feature=related 

  PART 2- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nvrg8r8x81k&feature=related 

The gender equality question is often overlooked in Azerbaijan and preserving traditions and values are deemed more valuable than women's lives in this country in most cases. So I would like to congratulate the participants of the project on their great work and for bringing this fragile and yet very important issue up and sharing it with others. Well done guys!