EUROVISION TURNS SPOTLIGHT ON AZERBAIJAN
By Damien McGuinness
18 May 2011
BBC News South Caucasus correspondent
Victory in the Eurovision Song Contest has given Azerbaijan a unique
opportunity to showcase its culture, when it hosts the event next
year. But it will also throw a spotlight on its much-criticised human
rights record, and comes amid growing fears of war.
Last weekend’s win by the duo Ell and Nikki sparked celebrations
on the streets of the capital, Baku, despite being announced in the
middle of the night and amid heavy rain.
President Ilham Aliyev called the result “a great success of the
Azerbaijani state and people”. The country’s public broadcaster
said it would give the country a chance to show off its culture and
traditions to the whole of Europe.
After all, Eurovision, that riotous celebration of sequins, high-kicks
and cheesy lyrics, is one of the most watched televised events in
the world, attracting more than 100 million viewers.
So host countries see the competition as a major PR opportunity to
boost tourism and trade – something particularly appreciated by the
former Soviet Republic of Azerbaijan, squeezed into an often overlooked
region between Russia, Iran and Turkey.
‘Fake charges’
But light-hearted Eurovision camp sits uneasily with Azerbaijan’s
human rights record.
Continue reading the main story ” Start Quote This victory will now
put Azerbaijan in the spotlight which could mean that the government
starts treating its citizens better” End Quote Tabib Huseynov
Political analyst When it comes to media freedom, Azerbaijan is
ranked 171 out of 191 countries by the Freedom House NGO. In March and
April, hundreds of people were detained in peaceful protests against
the government. And, according to Amnesty International, increasing
numbers of journalists and youth activists are being imprisoned on
fabricated charges.
One of those, Amnesty says, is 20-year-old Jabbar Savalan, who at the
beginning of May was convicted to two-and-a-half years in prison on
drugs charges, after calling for anti-government protests on Facebook.
Human rights activists are now hoping that Eurovision will bring more
than just upbeat jingles to the Azeri capital, Baku.
“This victory will now put Azerbaijan in the spotlight which could
mean that the government starts treating its citizens better,” says
Baku-based political analyst Tabib Huseynov.
“The Azeri government cares about its international image. And when
you are in the spotlight you behave better.”
The authorities in Azerbaijan refute accusations of human rights
abuses. When asked by the BBC why peaceful protesters are arrested,
government officials said demonstrations are allowed, but only in
permitted areas outside the city centre.
Ell and Nikki made a triumphant return home to Baku on Tuesday Denial
It is unlikely that international attention during a song festival
will necessarily lead to the release of government critics. After
all, condemnation from the European Parliament and the European
Court of Human Rights has so far not led to that. But the hope is
that Azerbaijan will at least try to avoid international criticism
which could mar the celebrations.
But Arastun Orujlu, head of the East-West Research Center in Baku,
says Eurovision is actually being used to shore up the government’s
position.
“President Aliyev is promoting the Eurovision win as a success of
the government,” he said.
“Officials are not prepared to accept there are any problems with
democracy, media freedom or human rights. If they deny these problems
even exist, it’s clear they are not ready for democratic development.”
One problem that cannot be denied, however, is the conflict with
Armenia over the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh.
The two countries went to war over the enclave in 1992 after the
break-up of the Soviet Union. Around 25,000 people were killed and
more than a million became refugees.
A tenuous ceasefire was agreed in 1994. But both sides are even
now acquiring more sophisticated weaponry and upping the bellicose
rhetoric. The number of skirmishes and fatalities on the front line
is rising, and peace talks have stalled. So there is a growing risk
that the already precarious situation could spiral out of control,
leading to an accidental war.
“We’re stuck unfortunately in a quagmire,” says Laurence Sheets,
of the International Crisis Group. “This is a region of tremendous
strategic and energy importance to the entire world. And there is
the potential for countries like Turkey, a Nato member, Russia or
Iran to be drawn into war or open hostilities.”
Personal connections
Tension and deadly skirmishes between Azeri and Armenian forces
continue In such a tense environment, even the apparently innocent
fun of the Eurovision Song Contest is politically sensitive. In 2009,
Azerbaijan’s ministry of national security called Azeris accused
of voting for Armenia in for questioning. Voting in Eurovision is a
matter of national security, was the explanation of the authorities.
Next year’s event in Baku has the potential to bring both sides
together. If the Armenian delegates decide to attend, and the Azeri
authorities welcome them, Eurovision’s party atmosphere could provide
a rare opportunity. If people meet on a personal level, Arastun Orujlu
believes, they inevitably stop fighting.
“It’s only the governments on both sides which are aggressive because
they can blame domestic problems on the conflict,” he said “But people
themselves are tired. They want to co-operate.”
This year Armenia’s entry sang “boom, boom, chaka, chaka” while
emerging out of a giant boxing glove on stage – seen by some as a
metaphor for winning the war in Nagorno-Karabakh.
The lyrics at Eurovision are not always the most erudite. But if
Eurovision can help ease tensions between Armenia and Azerbaijan,
there may be some sense to them after all.
From: Baghdasarian
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-13431093