A senior US Congress official: "Downgrading the status of the OSCE office would confirm suspicions and create a bad image for Azerbaijan"

A senior official on the staff of the Congress speaking on condition of anonymity reacted on the recent moves in Azerbaijan against western institutions, especially, OSCE's Baku office, as well as the latest human rights situation in the country, in an interview with TURAN's Washington DC correspondent.

Q. Seems like the Azeri government started seriously targeting the international institutions in the country seeing them as "a problem in their way" in the election year following the recent uprisings in Baku and the regions. What is your take on all of these? Do you see any reason to consider the western institutions, such as the OSCE or the NDI, a threat to the government of the countries where they are operating?

A. The mandate of the OSCE office in Baku was just renewed at the beginning of the year, but the Azerbaijan government now has requested that the mission be downgraded to a project office. I cannot speculate on the government's motives in making this request.

But I would note several reasons why this is a bad idea. 

First, it sets a bad precedent in terms of OSCE operations and commitments. The mission's mandate was renewed because the OSCE believed that it continued to have important work to do. A unilateral decision by the Azerbaijan authorities now would seem to have little to do with the actual work of the OSCE office.

Second, Azerbaijani society benefits from the OSCE office, which plays an important role in promoting democratic institutions.

Third, the office's reporting on political events serves as a crucial early-warning mechanism and contributes to the OSCE's role in conflict resolution and prevention.

Q. It is not first time that the Azeri government and pro-governmental media target western groups by accusing them of "interfering into the country's internal politics..." Previously it even happened towards the ambassadors who were trying to do their job- meet with civil society, oppositional groups, etc. What should the Azeri people know about international institutions, their activities and goals in the country especially in cases with such as the NDI, the OSCE? And what do all these mean in the election year for the country?

A. Host governments often misunderstand the role of international organizations and NGOs, accusing them of "interference," etc. But Azerbaijan is party to the OSCE agreements and other international documents, pledging its support for democratic institutions. Moreover, the 1991 OSCE Moscow Document explicitly states that events in the human dimension that take place in one country are not only that country's business but the legitimate concern of all OSCE participating States.

The fact that the OSCE mission, the NDI office, and other international NGOs have found so many people to work with in Azerbaijan is indication of the desire of a significant proportion of the population to learn about and implement democratic rules and behavior.

Q. If the government moves forward with all these restrictions, how would you describe the possible results of it?

A. Downgrading the status of the OSCE mission to a project office would send just the wrong signal at this crucial moment. Many observers have expressed concerns about the deteriorating democracy and human rights situation. Unilaterally downgrading the status of the OSCE office would confirm suspicions and create a bad image for Azerbaijan.

Q. The recent accusations against the western institutions were also followed by proposal in the Parliament to limit options for the foreign aid for local NGOs, like neighboring Russia did just recently... What would be your reaction to such move by Azeri government?

A. Many observers and political leaders around the world have expressed great concern about the deteriorating situation Russia. It would be most unfortunate if Azerbaijan would follow Russia's example and further weaken the possibility of the development of democratic institutions in the country. Domestic and international NGOs play an important role in developing many aspects of the political, social, and economic life of Azerbaijan. Limiting their access to support would limit the speed and extent of Azerbaijan's democratic and socio-economic development.

Q. When speaking about the US regional priorities, many in Baku see the US as downgrading the status of human rights issues, especially with countries like Azerbaijan... In the meantime the latest Freedom House, Human Rights Watch and other organizations' reports indicate that Azerbaijan's human rights record had deteriorated in 2012. What are your predictions about Azerbaijan in terms of human rights?

A. Azerbaijan is at a crossroads. It can either move forward toward democracy and economic prosperity for its people or it can move toward authoritarianism, corruption and, eventually, to less prosperity. We in Washington are very concerned about the direction in which the government of Azerbaijan has been heading. The jailing of opponents, violence directed at demonstrators, restrictions on NGOs and the media - all these actions by the government over the last few months are reason for concern. Our hope is that the government of Azerbaijan will realize where its true interests lie - with greater democracy and closer relations with the West.

Q. The situation with the media in Azerbaijan has also recently been challenging and several international surveys place Azerbaijan at the bottom of rankings on media freedom and freedom of expression. How do the attacks on the media influence the country's international image?

A. Freedom of speech and freedom of the media to investigate and report on developments are essential for democracy. This is why the Founding Fathers in the United States included freedom of speech as the very first amendment to our Constitution. Lack of free speech or controls on the media inevitably lead to corruption and authoritarianism. Thus, moves by the government of Azerbaijan to restrict the media or attacks on media outlets are very bad for Azerbaijan's international image and for perceptions of the business climate in Azerbaijan. Conversely, moves by the government of Azerbaijan to decrease pressure on the media and to create space for free expression would be seen as very positive signs both from the political and business points of view.