We are on hunger strike- statement by N!DA activists

Below is the text from the statement of N!DA activists who are facing prison terms from 6.5 to 8.5 years. These young men were arrested on trumped up charges and are on hunger strike together with their parents. 

WE ARE ON HUNGER STRIKE / STATEMENT
We, 8 persons prosecuted connected to the prominent Nida case as a result of repressions started against Nida Civic Movement on 7 March 2013, are in prison. Our interrogation for a few hours during 7 months of preliminary investigation and humour spectacle called “court” has proven that, we are in prison as a consequence of a political order, for exercising our rights. The fact that, throughout half a year of the court proceedings our petitions have been turned down, testimonies and objects, which cannot be considered as proofs are being considered as such, shows that, tough accusation judgment is expected against us. Today’s demand of the public prosecutor to sentence us for prison term of between 6.5 and 8.5 years is a proof for that. We are starting a hunger strike with demand of our release protesting this political discrimination and repression. If we approach this issue more realistically, we consider that, the authorities are not going to confess that, the process, which has been going on for more than a year is politically motivated, and will not acquit us. Therefore, we suggest the authorities to show political will and release us from prison through any method. Our aim is to achieve freedom through peaceful means - eternal method of Nida.

We have taken all the possible harms into account. We are strong and resolute. We believe that, we will get our freedom.
undersigned:

Shahin Novruzlu
Mammad Azizov
Bakhtiyar Guliyev
Rashad Hasanov
Uzeyir Mammadli
Rashadat Akhundov
Zaur Gurbanlı
Ilkin Rustamzada

And here is another letter written by one of the young men- Rashadat Akhundov:

Dear friends,

We have started hunger strike since yesterday, April 17th. Our decision is a serious one. We ask of you and our parents not to request of us to halt of the strike. In any case, such a request will be refused. This is a new phase of the moral and dignified struggle for your and our freedom. Perhaps it is the last phase for us. Since either they have to set us free, or we will leave this place as dead corpses. There is no other way. This is our only demand.

We love you all.

Rashadat Akhundov,

prisoner of conscience

To help these eight young men, you can sign the following petition.

"Freedom fighters"

I wrote this short piece for WEast Magazine in the light of recent events back home. I thought I share it here on my blog as well.

A story of us…

Who are we? Where do we come from? What do we do? The answers to these questions are fairly simple. In some countries these questions would not even be asked. But in the country where I come from, these are very important questions. Sometimes your background and your status are more important than who you truly are in this society. Oh yes, don’t be surprised. It is simply a fact of life in a small country known to the rest of the world as Azerbaijan. We are the young, educated, intelligent, active, engaged citizens of Azerbaijan. We are the 20 something, 30 something, and 40 something citizens who still envisage Azerbaijan to be a better country for its citizens. We all come from Azerbaijan, from the beautiful North, from the colourful South, from the middle, from the top. Some of us saw the collapse of the Soviet Union, some of us remember those days through stories told by our parents. Some of us never saw the Union, and were born after independence. We work, study, try to make our home a place we are proud of. That is all… But then, that would be too simple an explanation in an overly complicated world of politics, dirty games and – what many often underestimate – selfish leaders.

Things are tough here. Being outspoken, having an opinion, being an individual with a set of ideals and knowledge is not something that one can be proud of. These things might cost you a lot, above all- freedom. And this is not just about physical freedom but a freedom of mind.

Recently one such free mind, known to many of us here and friends around the world, was detained unlawfully. He was taken away by plain-clothed men without explanation, right in front of his work place in bright day light. Ruslan Asad didn’t do anything wrong. He rightly used his right to think, to act, and to say what he thinks is right. But that is of no value back home- unless your mind acts in a “certain” way. He was released after a few hours, but there is a chance he will be called back in for further questioning on his workplace- the National Democratic Institute (the director of which allegedly asked Ruslan to resign after March 10th, when Ruslan was detained during peaceful demonstrations against hazing and abuse of conscripts in the Azerbaijani military service. This rally as all the other “unsanctioned” rallies was dispersed by the local police using tear gas, rubber bullets and water cannons), and the relationship between NDI and youth organizations. The interest in the youth organizations is a result of a recent article published by journalist Eynulla Fatullayev holding NDI responsible for investing $2million in what Fatullayev calls a “Facebook Revolution”. Needless to stay, the allegation was dismissed by NDI.

Ruslan wasn’t the only young Azerbaijani detained that day. Rashad Hasanov, another activist and a member of one of the youth organizations- N!DA Citizens’ Movement, was also detained. He remains in custody. According to his lawyer Asabali Mustafayev, the young man is facing charges of possession of illegal weapons. If found guilty Hasanov faces up to 8 years in prison.

Surely these arrests were politically motivated. Prior to protests held on March 10, three other members of N!DA were arrested. According to local police records, Molotov cocktails and drugs were found in their apartments and they were accused of plotting a revolution. A video of the three admitting their “crimes” was aired later in the day though their lawyers and families say this was all staged and the three were forced to confess.

And so, we are the people who are harassed, arrested and detained, simply because someone can do this to us. But despite everything, we are hopeful, I am hopeful that things will change in our homeland. Because we deserve change. I deserve change. Ruslan deserves change. Rashad deserves change. Azerbaijani citizens deserve a better place to think, to write, to share and to live. And one day, our leaders will understand the importance of this necessary change. Because we cannot afford any more generations lamenting the decay in rights, freedoms and morals…

By Jahangir Yusif

By Jahangir Yusf

Different perspectives

A look from the OSCE's Ambassador office and the streets of Baku. Indeed as you rightly put Ambassador Targay there are "good results at the police forces and in rapid deployment forces". They are getting better and better with each protest.

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.

What are human rights?- new education video initiative

A new initiative by OL (To Be) Youth Movement presents their first video titled "What are Human Rights?". The video is in Azerbaijani with English subtitles.

Well done guys!

New promo video on Azerbaijan

It all sounds so perfect and pink.

"We want a democratic state!"

Indeed, that is what many young people in Azerbaijan want. And I am saying young, as most of the elders, have lost hope in any change in Azerbaijan. Perhaps they lost it in 2003, or maybe in 2005. Or perhaps it was the Referendum and the last elections. But the youth is the future as it is repeated many times and so they/ us still have hope. We hope that Azerbaijan will become a democracy and we want it to become a democracy because we don't want to see next generations to come uneducated, unprofessional, unethical and most of all without hope. 

Some of the words that appear in the vide as "titles" are "student, doctor, journalist, oligarch, judge, state employee".

An inspirational talk at TED

"What fuels a movement are the anonymous extraordinaries behind it!"

Watch a 20-year-old passionate organizer speak at TED talks only to inspire her viewers and listeners. I don't know about you but I definitely feel inspired.

Amnesty International's Campaign for Jabbar Savalanli

A new campaign was launched by the Amnesty International, calling for release of a student from Azerbaijan, Jabbar Savalanli, who was imprisoned and sentenced on bogus charges- the usual suspect, i.e., drug possession. 

You can "dislike" the charge and join the petition by simply signing pushing the "dislike" button on their campaign page (see below).

Jabbar, was imprisoned shortly after posting a status update on his Facebook- calling for mass protests against Azerbaijani incumbent regime. He was detained, forced to sign confession and then imprisoned. 

Please join the cause!

Free Thought University (Azad Fikir Universiteti)

An outstanding project. The video below is compilation of different voices and opinions about the university. You can read more about the school here. 

Small protest in the capital of Baku

Today, a group of Azerbaijani youth- from the Committee for Protection of Young Political Prisoners- held a small protest at the Fountain Square. Dressed in black and white striped t- shirts and carrying a poster with "Democracy" written in between "bars" these young men and women walked through the square. Those following behind, held posters of currently in prison young activists- Ruslan Bashirli, Cabbar Savalan, Bakhtiyar Hajiyev, Tural Abbasli, Ehed Memmedli, Rufat Hacibeyli, Elnur Israfilov, and Ulvi Quliyev. 

The protest aimed to symbolize that the arrest of these young people, means arrest of democracy and the violation of human rights. 

According to this article [AZ] passers-by seeing the posters and the photos exclaimed their support for the youth.

Azerbaijan's own dictatorial rule

I was reading this article today on New York Times by Bruce Bueno de Mesquita and Alastair Smith, and thought I share some quotes that fit Azerbaijani leadership so perfectly. 

The article starts with the following introduction:

Despotic rulers stay in power by rewarding a small group of loyal supporters, often composed of key military officers, senior civil servants, and family members or clansmen

However the author of this piece argues that even this small group of supporters only does so because of the rewards expected for al their work done while suppressing opposition, silencing anyone who would go against the regime and therefore maintain their own version of stability and tranquility.  

As long as their cronies are assured of reliable access to lavish benefits, protest will be severely suppressed. 

Of course, some of the success stories of toppling a dictator portrayed in this article, do not fit Azerbaijan's scenario, nevertheless, there are some interesting facts worth noting and who knows, perhaps keeping in mind for future references... 

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...

Was it really a good year for Azerbaijan?

Today, President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, went on TV and congratulated his countrymen with the New Year and World Azerbaijanis Solidarity Day. In his speech, the president talked about 2010 and its overall success for his country. Below is a rough translation from his speech [AZ]:

[...] Despite international financial crisis, Azerbaijan achieved great successes in 2010. Our economy grew by 5%, population income by 12% and inflation was only 5.7% [...] In 2010 we have built 45 medical institutions, more than 70 schools (including those that were renovated), 5 Olympic Sports Centers. Minimum pensions and salaries were raised [...]

Foreign policy too saw much success in 2010. The number of our friends and countries wanting to become our partners is growing... Our relations with international organizations are already established, and are based on mutual respect, mutual trust, and mutual interests [...]

We have had large infrastructure projects implemented in 2010. In transportation sector, construction [...] In 2010, construction of ship building factory was started in Baku. International Sea Trade Port's construction was initiated in Baku [...]

Talking about the territorial integrity, the President spoke of the importance attached to the resolution of Nagorno Karabakh and its future status: "Azerbaijan will never allow for creation of a second Armenian state on our own territory". Adding that those who live in Nagorno Karabakh, and the Azerbaijanis returning there, will only live under autonomy status.

A number of other things was mentioned but wouldn't it better if the President of Azerbaijan, in the spirit of a new year/ new beginning said something else? Something "analogu olmayan" (never said or done before) for a change? 

That maybe as of 2011, he is raising salaries/ pensions/ stipends of all teachers, doctors, professors,  students, pensioners by not just 5 or 10 manats but actually by couple hundred? That there will be no more corruption in this country! That people will actually live and not try to survive every day! 

That this year he is going to make this country get rid of all its bad habits it has made itself known for in the world (and no! I am not talking about unprecedented double digit economic growth that Azerbaijan saw once back few years ago) like granting freedom of expression, provision of full equality among men and women, protection of human rights, liberty and above all democracy?! 

That finally, things are going to change in Azerbaijan to the good rather than worse! That he promises, that the country wont be ranked among the lowest when there would be reports on media freedom! That instead of laundering billions of manats, investment will be made for bright and intelligent future generation! That they will no longer have to pay for their grades and diplomas! That these young people will be educated according to international standards, when lectures wont be boring and based on soviet style education but modernized and taught by people who actually want to teach (rather than those who see their students as currency signs)! 

That Azerbaijan will respect its history and stop demolishing its old cites (especially in Baku)! That finally, lies and fake promises and statements will be replaced by honor, respect, and freedom!

That this year, he promises that as a President of this small and yet very rich country, he is going to use every possible resource at his hand to get his people to trust the government once again rather than full them around and keep them under control, monitored and censored?! 

I guess not... But who knows, maybe there is still some hope for the next year (or years to come)... 

Our glorious nation

Today, Azerbaijan was celebrating 86th birthday of its late president (father, leader and all the other glorified names people call him around here) Heydar Aliyev. But it wasn't just a simple birthday celebration- it was the Flower Day!

If this was held on any other day it would have been fine (not that I would have gone to the celebrations anyway) but today, only 10 days later after what happened at the Azerbaijan State Oil Academy, people who came to the event (and there were a lot of them), the atmosphere seemed more festive, as if nothing happened.

Below is a brief story of what happened today:

I left my house around noon, heading to the Haydar Aliyev Park, where the so- called celebrations were to be held. As I arrived I saw hundreds if not thousands of people entering the park to see expensive flowers brought from Africa for this special occasion (it is said that 15 million manats were spent for this occasion). But it wasn't a simple celebration. There was police everywhere- civilian and in uniforms. They carefully guarded the part all around so as not to let any provocateurs inside to spoil the event. They knew that students and young activists might be having small- scale protests. They were afraid.

It seemed peaceful, people seemed happy, kids running around, parents eating round pastries sold on the street next to the park. 

But not everyone was happy. A group of 15- 20 young people were sitting on the stairs opposite to the park by the State Music Academy, holding carnations in their hands and observing the crowd. At about 2 in the afternoon we decided to start walking towards the State Oil Academy to leave carnations on the steps of the building and then go home as a sign of regret for what was going on. But no, nothing can be simple in this country.

Immediately after we got up, a group of civilian dressed police (or thugs) saw us getting on our feet- there was a lot of talking on the phone and most probably some sort of chain of command going around. As we took the side steps, I saw myself, how one big fat general on the phone, pointing the other civilian dressed fat thug at us. Literally in seconds there were other officers around them looking at us. We crossed the street and as soon as we did, the big fat civilian dressed guy with his phone (perhaps it was a walkie- talkie) came chasing after us. We only took few more steps that when I turned around I saw that same guy shouting at the smaller thugs around him to take all of us in. "Hamsini gotu run" ("take all of them") he said in his loud Azeri voice, there were already police cars by the place where we were standing and lots of civilian dressed men around my friends assisting them to their cars. 

Among those taken in were another bloger Ali Novruzov, creators of AN Network Rashad Shirin, Emin Milli, Nigar Fatali, and Arjen de Wolf (head of NDI)- who was there actually to observe- and a number of other yout

h activists.

We weren't protesting out loud, we were peacefully walking on the street, heads down, talking. I guess that is also a crime or some version of hooliganism as our police forces liked to call it. And the only reason why didn't catch us at first was because they weren't sure how many we were exactly, the tactic was to make sure we were a small group, otherwise it would have been harder.

But the worst thing was when the thugs grabbed a 15 year old girl who

 was standing at the bus stop in the vicinity where all of this occurred. She was crying when she was forced to get into the car but the fat guy on the phone kept on shouting at her and forced her to get into the car.

I am amazed how I wasn't detained. I was miraculously saved simply by standing two meters away from where all of this was going on and taking photos.

The aftermath:

As soon as police cars took off, the fat guy (he seemed like the guy in charge of the "operation") started shouting at other people who were passing by. "Dagilin" ("spread out") he was saying with an angry voice and waving with his wobbly hands. 

After learning where everyone has been taken we all went to the police station. It was number 22.

At first they told us that our friends will be released in 15 minutes. Those 15 minutes turned into long 4 hours. Just as our friends weren't told why they were detained, so were we, standing outside of the police station, not knowing the reason behind their arrest.

The first person to come out was that 15 year old girl. She was detained for wearing black clothes. Obviously our police also didn't know what a word "punk" is either. She was crying as soon as she came out and told Radio Azadliq reporters who were with us since the beginning of the whole thing that she had nothing to do with the protest, she was only waiting for the bus.

Then came Arjen, Rashad, and Nigar. Arjen was the hero of the day as he was called out but he refused, saying that he wont leave.

Then came two girls, also dressed in black. They said they were forced to sign a document as they were leaving, a written apology for their actions. Who was supposed to ask for forgiveness from whom I guess is also dubious in this case! The girls faked their signatures and said they didn't do an apology. Then came the others though not all at the same time- one by one or few people at a time. 

There was no violence inside of the detainment rooms though the officers were rude from what my friends inside told me. They also kept all their mobile phones with them, that was how we kept in touch with them. 

The worst detainment was taking place at the police station number 39. There were around 30 people (even more) detained there, beaten for sure since the station had to call in a doctor who refused to say anything as he left the station to the journalists waiting outside. They were arrested at another park where students were protesting for the celebrations.

By around 6 in the evening everyone was released. I guess they simply wanted to keep us away from the main area and not ruin the day. 

I would like to thank Radio Azadliq, Joanna Ganson from US Embassy and everyone else who came with us or joined us later in front of the police station, (in)patiently waiting for our friends to be released.

I am deeply saddened by what happened today. Not only it was ridiculous and stupid but also it proved once again that our government is relentless when it comes to human rights and freedom of speech. It also proved that no matter what our government is willing to do whatever it takes! Today, I truly hated the fact that I am a citizen of this country! Right now they are doing fireworks on boulevard!