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REAL: REJECTING DEMOCRATIC PRINCIPLES AZERBAIJANI AUTHORITIES CHALLENGE EXISTENCE OF STATE
16:54 18/03/2015 >> SOCIETY
Azerbaijani government has managed to silence its Western critics by
cooperating with the U.S. and Europe on energy and security issues.
However, the government's recent clampdown has made it difficult to
turn a blind eye; and it seems Azerbaijan and the West have reached
a critical juncture in their relations, one of the leaders of the
Azerbaijani movement REAL (Republican Alternative) writes in his
article, published on the website of Open Democracy.
"Clearly, the Azerbaijani regime intends to secure its longevity by
rejecting democratic principles. But bad governance exacerbates the
security threats, and challenges the very existence of the state. The
eradication of moderate, secular, and liberal democratic voices in a
majority-Muslim society will only serve to bolster religious radicalism
as a viable alternative. The government in fact echoes the rhetoric
of radical voices by attacking civil society and blaming the West
for the plight of the Muslim world," the author writes stressing that
attacking the West and denying reforms will also make the government
vulnerable to external pressure.
According to the article, Azerbaijani government continues to insist
that the West drop its human rights and democracy agenda when dealing
with Azerbaijan over energy and security cooperation. Things will
be particularly tough for Azerbaijan in 2015 due to the fall in oil
production and prices, which will significantly reduce Azerbaijan's
revenue. While oil revenue enabled the government to ease tensions
in the past, it admits that this year will be very critical. The
year started with a sharp decline of the Azerbaijani currency, the
stability of which was a matter of pride for the government during
the last decade. Furthermore, sanctions against Russia will affect
remittances from Azerbaijani labor migrants there, which will severely
impact the livelihood of many Azerbaijani citizens.
In its turn, Voice of America writes about Azerbaijan sentencing
opposition activist Siraj Karimov to six years in prison on
drug-related charges. It is also noted in the article that his brother,
Faraj Karimov, an outspoken critic of Azerbaijan's President Ilham
Aliyev, was arrested last July for allegedly selling drugs and is
presently in pretrial detention. Proceeding with presenting other
political prisoners in the country, it is highlighted in the article
that Azerbaijan will host the European Games this June. British outlet
Reuters turned to the arrest of the oppositionist, too.
"This is another nail in the coffin of freedom of expression in
Azerbaijan. The charges against Siraj Karimli are clearly a response
to his brother's political activities and criticism of the government.
This sentence not only means an innocent man is going to prison, but
it is intended as a warning to other activists and their families,"
reads the statement of Denis Krivosheev, Amnesty International's
Deputy Director for Europe and Central Asia, published n the website
of the organization.
It is highlighted in the statement that the crackdown on opposition
activists and people who have organized online groups discussing
government policies is not new in Azerbaijan. But increased harassment
and arrests of activists' family members appear to be part of a new
and chilling trend that further restricts the already very limited
space for freedom of expression in the country.
Related:
Azerbaijani oppositionist - who was arrested confused for his brother -
sentenced to 6 years imprisonment
http://www.panorama.am/en/society/2015/03/18/real1/
From: A. Papazian
16:54 18/03/2015 >> SOCIETY
Azerbaijani government has managed to silence its Western critics by
cooperating with the U.S. and Europe on energy and security issues.
However, the government's recent clampdown has made it difficult to
turn a blind eye; and it seems Azerbaijan and the West have reached
a critical juncture in their relations, one of the leaders of the
Azerbaijani movement REAL (Republican Alternative) writes in his
article, published on the website of Open Democracy.
"Clearly, the Azerbaijani regime intends to secure its longevity by
rejecting democratic principles. But bad governance exacerbates the
security threats, and challenges the very existence of the state. The
eradication of moderate, secular, and liberal democratic voices in a
majority-Muslim society will only serve to bolster religious radicalism
as a viable alternative. The government in fact echoes the rhetoric
of radical voices by attacking civil society and blaming the West
for the plight of the Muslim world," the author writes stressing that
attacking the West and denying reforms will also make the government
vulnerable to external pressure.
According to the article, Azerbaijani government continues to insist
that the West drop its human rights and democracy agenda when dealing
with Azerbaijan over energy and security cooperation. Things will
be particularly tough for Azerbaijan in 2015 due to the fall in oil
production and prices, which will significantly reduce Azerbaijan's
revenue. While oil revenue enabled the government to ease tensions
in the past, it admits that this year will be very critical. The
year started with a sharp decline of the Azerbaijani currency, the
stability of which was a matter of pride for the government during
the last decade. Furthermore, sanctions against Russia will affect
remittances from Azerbaijani labor migrants there, which will severely
impact the livelihood of many Azerbaijani citizens.
In its turn, Voice of America writes about Azerbaijan sentencing
opposition activist Siraj Karimov to six years in prison on
drug-related charges. It is also noted in the article that his brother,
Faraj Karimov, an outspoken critic of Azerbaijan's President Ilham
Aliyev, was arrested last July for allegedly selling drugs and is
presently in pretrial detention. Proceeding with presenting other
political prisoners in the country, it is highlighted in the article
that Azerbaijan will host the European Games this June. British outlet
Reuters turned to the arrest of the oppositionist, too.
"This is another nail in the coffin of freedom of expression in
Azerbaijan. The charges against Siraj Karimli are clearly a response
to his brother's political activities and criticism of the government.
This sentence not only means an innocent man is going to prison, but
it is intended as a warning to other activists and their families,"
reads the statement of Denis Krivosheev, Amnesty International's
Deputy Director for Europe and Central Asia, published n the website
of the organization.
It is highlighted in the statement that the crackdown on opposition
activists and people who have organized online groups discussing
government policies is not new in Azerbaijan. But increased harassment
and arrests of activists' family members appear to be part of a new
and chilling trend that further restricts the already very limited
space for freedom of expression in the country.
Related:
Azerbaijani oppositionist - who was arrested confused for his brother -
sentenced to 6 years imprisonment
http://www.panorama.am/en/society/2015/03/18/real1/
From: A. Papazian