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Aberystwyth University blasted for "caviar diplomacy" after making
Azerbaijan connection
Aberystwyth university's partnership with Azerbaijan's state sponsored
diplomatic academy has prompted heavy criticism
Rose Troup Buchanan
[image: Author Biography]
Friday 08 November 2013
A partnership between Aberystwyth University's and an Azerbaijani academy
has been condemned as `caviar diplomacy' by a Welsh MP.
West Newport's Labour MP Paul Flynn roundly condemned the decision to
partner with the `foul and oppressive regime' of Azerbaijan, claiming:
`It's about propaganda, it is not about education.'
The partnership is a `memorandum of understanding' with the Azerbaijan
Diplomatic Academy, a school of international relations established by
Azerbaijan ministry of foreign affairs in 2006.
Human Rights Watch released a report in September saying: `The Azerbaijani
government is engaged in a deliberate, abusive strategy to limit dissent.
The strategy is designed to curtail opposition political activity, limit
public criticism of the government, and exercise greater control over
nongovernmental organizations.'
An Aberystwyth University spokesperson said: `Aberystwyth University has
respected and well established links with higher education institutions in
countries across around the world with very different political systems and
structures.'
`The Memorandum of Understanding is specifically with the Azerbaijan
Diplomatic Academy.'
Mr Flynn told The Independent he was confused by the university's decision
to partner with the academy.
`They say there is no money involved but I am sure it's favourable for
the
university,' he said.
As part of the partnership Aberystwyth and the academy signed a formal
exchange agreement, hosting students from each country for up to a full
academic year.
The spokesperson continued: `Students taking part in the exchange programme
pay tuition fees to their respective institutions. There will be no direct
financial benefit to either institution.'
In April this year the Azerbajini authorities closed down the Azad Fikir
University (Free Thought University) in a move condemned by the
international organisation Scholars at Risk.
On Twitter, Mr Flynn said: `Weak defence of Aberystwyth exchanges with
Azerbaijan that jails students, condones racial murder, rigs elections &
persecutes oppositions.'
A spokesperson for Amnesty International said: `Azerbaijan is trying to
project an image of a country which respects human rights. But the reality
could not be more different.
`Journalists, political and civil society activists are being routinely
jailed, threatened and harassed.'
Azerbaijan scored 6.57 out of seven in a Free House assessment of the lack
of democratic freedom in the country.
Free House is an independent organisation monitoring the expression of
freedom around the world.
http://www.independent.co.uk/student/news/aberystwyth-university-blasted-for-caviar-diplomacy-after-making-azerbaijan-connection-8929654.html
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
Azerbaijan connection
Aberystwyth university's partnership with Azerbaijan's state sponsored
diplomatic academy has prompted heavy criticism
Rose Troup Buchanan
[image: Author Biography]
Friday 08 November 2013
A partnership between Aberystwyth University's and an Azerbaijani academy
has been condemned as `caviar diplomacy' by a Welsh MP.
West Newport's Labour MP Paul Flynn roundly condemned the decision to
partner with the `foul and oppressive regime' of Azerbaijan, claiming:
`It's about propaganda, it is not about education.'
The partnership is a `memorandum of understanding' with the Azerbaijan
Diplomatic Academy, a school of international relations established by
Azerbaijan ministry of foreign affairs in 2006.
Human Rights Watch released a report in September saying: `The Azerbaijani
government is engaged in a deliberate, abusive strategy to limit dissent.
The strategy is designed to curtail opposition political activity, limit
public criticism of the government, and exercise greater control over
nongovernmental organizations.'
An Aberystwyth University spokesperson said: `Aberystwyth University has
respected and well established links with higher education institutions in
countries across around the world with very different political systems and
structures.'
`The Memorandum of Understanding is specifically with the Azerbaijan
Diplomatic Academy.'
Mr Flynn told The Independent he was confused by the university's decision
to partner with the academy.
`They say there is no money involved but I am sure it's favourable for
the
university,' he said.
As part of the partnership Aberystwyth and the academy signed a formal
exchange agreement, hosting students from each country for up to a full
academic year.
The spokesperson continued: `Students taking part in the exchange programme
pay tuition fees to their respective institutions. There will be no direct
financial benefit to either institution.'
In April this year the Azerbajini authorities closed down the Azad Fikir
University (Free Thought University) in a move condemned by the
international organisation Scholars at Risk.
On Twitter, Mr Flynn said: `Weak defence of Aberystwyth exchanges with
Azerbaijan that jails students, condones racial murder, rigs elections &
persecutes oppositions.'
A spokesperson for Amnesty International said: `Azerbaijan is trying to
project an image of a country which respects human rights. But the reality
could not be more different.
`Journalists, political and civil society activists are being routinely
jailed, threatened and harassed.'
Azerbaijan scored 6.57 out of seven in a Free House assessment of the lack
of democratic freedom in the country.
Free House is an independent organisation monitoring the expression of
freedom around the world.
http://www.independent.co.uk/student/news/aberystwyth-university-blasted-for-caviar-diplomacy-after-making-azerbaijan-connection-8929654.html
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress