Human rights activists call for boycotting Eurovision

Human rights activists call for boycotting Eurovision

15:30 – 12.03.12

Considering Azerbaijan’s poor record of human rights, international
human rights organizations call for boycotting the Eurovision 2012
Song Contest in the country’s capital, Baku, late in May.

Amnesty International has once again slammed the Azerbaijani
authorities for banning the opposition’s peaceful protests and jailing
reporters.

In an interview with the Guardian, John Dalhuisen, deputy director of
the organization’s Europe and Central Asia programme, said the country
cannot credibly present itself as a rights-respecting democracy so
long as it continues to beat up and imprison peaceful protesters.

“The regime must realise that hosting glitzy events such as Eurovision
won’t mask the extent of the country’s human rights violations. They
need drastically to change their attitude to peaceful protest.”

Tert.am

From: Baghdasarian