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At The Crossroads, Imitating Democracy

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  • At The Crossroads, Imitating Democracy

    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

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