AT THE CROSSROADS, IMITATING DEMOCRACY
Turan Information Agency, Azerbaijan
July 18, 2013 Thursday
How the Azeri government attempted to dismiss US Helsinki Commission
briefing
The US Congressional Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe,
known as the Helsinki Commission, on Tuesday strongly urged the
Azerbaijani government to fulfill its obligations on human rights
and democracy, as the country heads towards presidential election.
“Azerbaijan is at a crossroads: One path leads forward toward democracy
and economic prosperity for its people, while other path leads towards
authoritarianism, corruption and, eventually economic stagnation of
decline: The presidential election this fall will be an important
opportunity for Azerbaijan to act on its choice,” Dr. Paul M. Carter,
Jr, Commission’s Senior State Department Advisor, stated during
the special briefing on “Troubled Partner: Growing Authoritarianism
in Azerbaijan.”
Speaking of the October election, the Commissionspokesman emphasized
that all candidates must be allowed to move or campaign freely without
fear of harassment or arrest.
Journalists must be free covering reports on the election and other
stories without the threat of detention on trumped up charges, fiscal
assault or jamming of broadcast. NGOs, religious organizations and
other elements of civil society must be allowed to operate without
arbitrary autocratic or legal requirements.
“And all of Azerbaijani society must be able to trust that is
government is transparent and rules best mannered in the interests
of all and not in the interests of one group,” Dr. Carter added.
“These are the obligations that Azerbaijan has undertaken as a member
of the UN, OSCE and other international obligations.”
The briefing has raised US concern over the directions in which the
Azerbaijani government has been heading.
The main witnesses were Thomas Melia, State Department’s Deputy
Assistant Secretary for Democracy, Human Rights and Labor, Dr. Miriam
Lanskoy, Director for Russia and Eurasia at the National Endowment for
Democracy, ErkinGadirli from REAL and EldarNamazov from NationalCouncil
of Democratic Forces.
Azerbaijani government was represented by a surprise delegation led by
SamadSeyidov, Chairman of the International and Inter-Parliamentary
Relations Committee of MilliMajlis and the county’s ambassador to
the US ElinSuleymanov.
In the meantime, some ruling MPs, such as
SevinjFataliyeva,AsimMollazade along with Embassy staff were present
at the auditorium packed by the government supporters.
Many of the rights defenders, journalists and think-tank
representatives were unable to get into the hall, due to the unexpected
high-rate pro-government participation.
The purpose of blocking the briefing from attendance was clear later:
most of the opportunities to ask questions were used by pro-government
participants, who rather addressed issues like regional threats,
Russia, Iran and NK problems, instead of human rights:
Meanwhile, the discussion managed to raise several main concerns
such as IlhamAliyev’srunning for presidency for the third time,
RustamIbragimbekov’snomination, attacks on media and youth activists,
etc.
While questioning the legal procedure of Ibragimbekov’s registration
due to his Russian passport, ElinSuleymanov and SamadSeyidov refused
to guarantee that the opposition leader would not face problems
while running for presidency. The discussion followed by unexpected
question from government supporters why the opposition nominated
Ibragimbekov”but not somebody else.”
The government “has to keep promises to invite election observers from
the OSCE ODIHR, release detained politicians such as IlgarMammadov,
investigate human rights violations and encourage real dialogue with
civil society,” State Department’s Tomas Melia emphasized.
In the meantime, he reaffirmed, Washington doesn’t take any side,
and it is up to Azerbaijani people to decide its future.”Azerbaijanis
should be able to enjoy free election, freedom of assembly,” he added.
In his speech EldarNamazov mentioned that democracy and human right
violations were not only a concern for Azerbaijani reality but also
for the regional security.
“Transition is necessary: we hope our partners also understand that”,
he said urging the international community to sendindependent observers
and exit-poll ahead of election, as “all previous election results
have been rigged.”
Another speaker, ErkinGadirli highlighted the need to political dialog
in the country, adding that the problem is about how the government
treatsthe people.
Samadov, in his part, snapped at the briefing organizers for calling
Azerbaijan a troubled partner:
President Aliyev, he said, recently “signed a special action plan to
improve the human rights situation in the country.”
“Democratic forces in Azerbaijan are trying to unite. Who created this
environment? The opposition is sitting together with us. Is this what
you call an authoritarian regime?”
Changing the angle of the discussions, Samadov rather dedicated his
speech to the “growing pressure from different countries on Azerbaijan
”
When asked about the number of the political prisoners in Azerbaijan,
he said, there is “no one left!”
What are the main outcomes that averageAzeris should consider from
today’s Hensinki briefing?
TURAN’s correspondent asked this question from one of the speakers,
Dr. Miriam Lanskoy, NED’s Director for Russia and Eurasia.
“What I saw at the congressional briefing was an interesting exchange;
I think everyone could see there were places where both sides were
vulnerable. The government wants to change the subject to talk
about Karabakh, to talk about Armenia, and not human rights within
Azerbaijan, and tries to deflect the issue. Then you could see also
that it’s difficult for the opposition to address the whole issue of
how Mr. Ibragimbekov can run, and his Russian passport. That question
kept coming up, but it hasn’t been resolved at this time,” she said.
When asked what would the international reaction be if Mr.
Ibragibmbekov is prevented from entering the country or is not let to
register, she said, it “depends on the context and how things unfold.
”
“The Azeri government has chosen different tactics in different
elections:In 2010 they didn’t register many people, but in the past,
for instance, in 2005, during the previous parliamentary election,
they registered everybody, and hoped just that candidates would take
votes from one another..I think there are different expectations
and different thoughts about which way the government will go. The
international reaction will depend on how things unfold. If Mr.
Ibragimbekov is denied to register – on what ground, and what context
and so on.”
Speaking to TURAN, Ms. Lanskoy also expressed concern over pressure
against youth activists.
“There were a few more youth activists that were arrested over the
weekend and who apparently disappeared. I’m not sure if they are still
in detention, or where exactly the situation regarding them is now.”
Speaking of ruling YAP figures’ recent statement regarding president
Aliyev not campaigning during upcoming election, she called it strange.
“I’m guessing what he is trying to say is, “I don’t need to campaign
because everybody loves me anyway, and I don’t need to make any kind
of effort.” The President’s speech from July 2nd where he said that
the oppositions are all traitors and they are against the nation,
and that the police can do anything without being punished, this is
very unfortunate: So he is not showing a serious attitude toward the
election. He is not saying, “look, there is my position, and there
is opposition, and we will campaign trying to appeal to the Azeri
voter.”So it sounds very strange.”
AlakbarRaufoglu Washington, DC