At the crossroads, imitating democracy

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."