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THERE IS AN ATMOSPHERE OF FEAR AND REPRESSIONS IN AZERBAIJAN AT THE THRESHOLD OF EUROVISION 2012
ARMENPRESS
JANUARY 25, 2012
BERLIN
BERLIN, JANUARY 25, ARMENPRESS: At the threshold of "Eurovision
2012" song contest, international press has started referring to the
state of human rights in Azerbaijan more frequently. For example,
conduction of the song contest in Baku is branded as misfortune in
Germany, conditioned by presence of dictatorship in the country,
Armenpress reports.
The German "Die Zeit" has issued an article on that occasion, which
particularly reads: "Reporters without Limits NGO states that there
is an atmosphere of fear and repressions in Azerbaijan.
In Europe they are first interested in violations of human rights in
Russia. But former vassal of Moscow Azerbaijan even after 20 years
of independence remains "Terra incognita" (unknown territory) for
the West. The precise program of "Eurovision" remains a state secret.
Azerbaijan, which is recognized as a country of oil and gas, making use
of the contest, wants to attract the attention of Western journalists.
For those who search for information about Azerbaijan we write: after
the soviet period of 70 years Azerbaijan gained independence in 1991.
In 1993 Heydar Aliyev established an authoritarian government in the
country and since then the journalists who come forth with criticism
here, are threatened, prosecuted, arrested and even killed. Last year's
killing of writer-journalist Rafig Taghi shocked the world press. He
was killed because he criticized Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev,
the Islamic religion and Prophet Muhammad.
Azerbaijan is beside Iraq and Afghanistan with its rating of freedom
of speech, occupying the 152nd place. The other day, "Freedom House"
organization blamed Azerbaijani for restricting the political rights
and freedoms in the country."
From: A. Papazian
ARMENPRESS
JANUARY 25, 2012
BERLIN
BERLIN, JANUARY 25, ARMENPRESS: At the threshold of "Eurovision
2012" song contest, international press has started referring to the
state of human rights in Azerbaijan more frequently. For example,
conduction of the song contest in Baku is branded as misfortune in
Germany, conditioned by presence of dictatorship in the country,
Armenpress reports.
The German "Die Zeit" has issued an article on that occasion, which
particularly reads: "Reporters without Limits NGO states that there
is an atmosphere of fear and repressions in Azerbaijan.
In Europe they are first interested in violations of human rights in
Russia. But former vassal of Moscow Azerbaijan even after 20 years
of independence remains "Terra incognita" (unknown territory) for
the West. The precise program of "Eurovision" remains a state secret.
Azerbaijan, which is recognized as a country of oil and gas, making use
of the contest, wants to attract the attention of Western journalists.
For those who search for information about Azerbaijan we write: after
the soviet period of 70 years Azerbaijan gained independence in 1991.
In 1993 Heydar Aliyev established an authoritarian government in the
country and since then the journalists who come forth with criticism
here, are threatened, prosecuted, arrested and even killed. Last year's
killing of writer-journalist Rafig Taghi shocked the world press. He
was killed because he criticized Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev,
the Islamic religion and Prophet Muhammad.
Azerbaijan is beside Iraq and Afghanistan with its rating of freedom
of speech, occupying the 152nd place. The other day, "Freedom House"
organization blamed Azerbaijani for restricting the political rights
and freedoms in the country."
From: A. Papazian