IRFS Condemns American Politicians for Conformity

The Institute for Reporters Freedom and Safety (IRFS) made a statement in connection with the beginning of a two-day US-Azerbaijani forum in Baku. Its work involves more than 50 U.S. politicians, including senators and congressmen.

American politicians, instead of showing solidarity with civil society in Azerbaijan and the principles of democracy, are involved in a new event aimed at promoting the authoritarian regime of President Ilham Aliyev, the statement said.

The visit of the U.S. delegation is held two months after the U.S. State Department reported on serious violations of human rights and freedoms, pressure and prosecution in Azerbaijan of journalists, bloggers, human rights defenders and activists, who fight for democracy.

"The visit of the American politicians and their participation in the forum is aimed at improving the image of the authoritarian regime of Azerbaijan and is a blow to the White House program for the promotion of democracy," the statement said.

The American delegation missed the opportunity to send a clear message to civil society in Azerbaijan, having spent at least an hour to discuss the problems of human rights in Azerbaijan.

States with political and economic relations with Azerbaijan should demand that the country's international obligations in the field of human rights.

IRFS regrets that during the period when Azerbaijan is limited to the activities of American NGOs in the field of human rights, representative accompanies the U.S. delegation to the Azerbaijani government. All this will strengthen the confidence of the authorities of Azerbaijan that will lead to greater repression and a climate of impunity, said in a statement.

Note that among the participants of the forum, many prominent members of the American political establishment, including the powerful former Senator Richard Lugar, a former Obama adviser David Plaf, senators and congressmen from both major U.S. parties. -06D-