'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. 

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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...

'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:

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].