Time for Sanctions on Baku – The American Interest

October 3, 2014 By administrator

Below is an article by The American Interest

By David J. Kramer and Richard Kauzlarich

As the West has turned its attention to the Islamic State and the Ukraine crisis, the government of President Ilham Aliyev has expanded its crackdown on dissenting voices in Azerbaijan with harassment, threats, beatings, and arrests. Even American citizens and international NGOs have bet caught up in the widening net of repression. These actions demand a response.

For years, Belarus’s leader Alexander Lukashenka has been called Europe’s last dictator, although Vladimir Putin is giving Lukashenka a run for his money, amidst the worst crackdown on human rights in Russia in decades. And now we might also add another leader in the region to the list: President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan.

After an accelerating series of arrests, Aliyev’s government now holds nearly 100 political prisoners, roughly double the number in Belarus and Russia combined. Beyond the raw numbers, Azerbaijan’s authorities are also getting more thuggish in their handling of critics, journalists, and opposition figures—as well as Westerners.

Statements of concern and criticism from Western and international officials and organizations have fallen on deaf ears in Baku. Even President Obama’s recent criticism of Azerbaijan’s treatment of NGOs made no impact. To the contrary, there are now credible reports that the Azerbaijani authorities plan to arrest investigative journalist Khadija Ismayilova when she returns to Baku from a trip abroad. The best way to try to reverse this disturbing trend is to impose penalties on the Aliyev regime for its outrageous treatment of its own people.

Among the most egregious abuses are the July 30 arrests of civil society activists Leyla and Arif Yunus, accused of spying for Armenian secret services—implausible charges linked to the decades-old dispute over Nagorno-Karabakh. On August 20, journalist Ilgar Nasibov was savagely beaten into a state of unconsciousness while he was in the office of a rights organization in the Naxcivan region. Several leading opposition figures—including Ilgar Mamedov of the opposition movement REAL and Tofig Yakublu of Musavat—languish in prison on unsubstantiated charges.

American citizens and organizations are not immune from Azerbaijan’s heavy-handed intolerance of dissenting voices. Said Nuri, an American citizen of Azerbaijani origin, was recently blocked for nearly a week from leaving Baku, after visiting his ailing father. The local offices of several American and international non-governmental organizations have been raided and/or their bank accounts frozen, and their employees harassed including IREX, the National Democratic Institute, Transparency International, and Oxfam. Several grantees of the National Endowment for Democracy have been arrested, and numerous others have had their accounts frozen.

Azerbaijan’s smear campaign has included U.S. officials, too. Recently departed U.S. Ambassador Richard Morningstar was subjected to various personal attacks by Azerbaijani government representatives, including the Chief of the Presidential Administration, Ramiz Mehdiyev. Senate staffers during a visit to Baku earlier this year were called “dogs” by a prosecutor and “spies” by a parliamentarian after meeting with Khadija Ismayilova.

Any individual or organization that criticizes Aliyev or promotes democracy is viewed as hostile. Mehdiyev has characterized independent media as “anti-Azerbaijani forces” financed from abroad.

The Council of Europe’s human rights chief, Nils Muiznieks, slammed the Azerbaijani government earlier this month for the “totally unacceptable” human rights situation, which, he said, “flies in the face of the human rights obligations undertaken by Azerbaijan” as a member of the Council. In August, several UN human rights envoys said they were “appalled” by the growing number of abuses and arrests of rights activists “on the basis of trumped-up charges.” The “criminalization of rights activists must stop,” they declared, calling for the release of the Yunuses and others.

For years, Azerbaijan’s oil and gas reserves insulated the country from exposure for its abysmal human rights record. The West’s attention lately has been focused on the Russia-Ukraine crisis and the challenge of the Islamic State, giving the Aliyev regime a sense that it can get away with its crackdown. To be safe, at last month’s NATO summit it offered to take part in investment and reconstruction projects in Afghanistan, betting that contributions to the allied effort would buy it a pass on its internal situation. Azerbaijan has also thrown around lots of the money it has earned from energy exports to buy influence and friends in the West.

Azerbaijani authorities often argue that they live in a tough neighborhood—sandwiched between Russia and Iran and with an unresolved conflict with Armenia—and that this should excuse them for their behavior. Geopolitics, however, shouldn’t shield Azerbaijan from criticism for treating its citizens and Western organizations as criminals.

It’s time, therefore, for the United States to apply a law modeled on the 2012 Sergei Magnitsky Rule of Law and Accountability Act to authorities in Baku. A number of Azerbaijani activists have called for such measures. Given the reported assets the Aliyev family and its circle hold overseas, freezing their assets and denying them access and travel to the West might just do the trick. The State Department should also issue a travel warning to American citizens alerting them of the surveillance, harassment, and possible detention they might face in Azerbaijan.

At a time when Vladimir Putin is continuing Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, some will argue that, for geopolitical reasons, this is not the time for the United States to get tough on Azerbaijan. There is never a good time to take such steps, but the situation inside Azerbaijan demands a response now. Further Western expressions of “concern” or characterizations of the situation as “unacceptable” would sound increasingly hollow. The Aliyev regime must understand that there are consequences for its abuses.

Index on Censorship: Power and money of ‘‘BP’’ encourage Aliyev regime to continue repression against civil society

September 21, 2014 By administrator

On the day of the 20th anniversary of the “Contract of the Century” Azerbaijanis sent a letter to the Director General of British Petroleum (BP) Bob Dudley, demanding to end repressions in Azerbaijan. This is stated in the article written by Emma Hamilton, published on the website of the international human rights organization “Index on Censorship”.

As it is noted in the article on 20 September 1994 BP signed a contract with then president Heydar Aliyev to extract Azerbaijani oil. “This initiated the oil company’s two-decade relationship with Azerbaijan, providing money and power to Aliyev, which the letter argues, has hindered democracy in the country,” the letter reads.

Mirvari Gahramanli, The Oil Workers Right Protection Organisation Union says: “BP is where the president got his power from. What is he without the money? Where is his wealth, where are his police, without BP’s money? The Aliyevs have grown rich from BP and now as a result they have much more power,” she stated.

The letter is asking BP to call on the Aliyev government to release all 98 political prisoners currently being detained. It also asks that BP remove its sponsorship from the 2015 Baku European Olympic games.

Source: Panorama.am

Wales Kerry-Sargsyan-Aliyev meeting kicked off

September 4, 2014 By administrator

The meeting between the president of Serzh Sargsyan, president of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and Secretary of State John Kerry has kicked off in Wales, spokesperson for Armenian president tweeted.

Serzh Sargsyan arrived in Wales to participate in the meeting of the heads of state and government from NATO and ISAF partner nations held within the framework of NATO summit.

Earlier Sargsyan met with his French counterpart Francois Hollande.

Erdogan, Aliyev Pledge to Lie for Each Other on the World Stage

September 4, 2014 By administrator

BY ARA KHACHATOURIAN

BAKU—What better way for two leaders to reinforce their alliance than by pledging to lie for one another on the international arena?

That’s what happened Tuesday when newly-minted Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan arrived in Baku and said that Turkish-Armenian relations would not be normalized until a resolution to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict that would be beneficial for Azerbaijan, further pledging to work toward the goal of pressuring Armenia to return territories it claims Armenia is occupying.

In turn, Erdogan’s Azerbaijani counterpart Ilham Aliyev said that he would work with Turkey to counter “Armenian lies” regarding the Armenian Genocide.

“Turkey and Azerbaijan will jointly counter the lie about the genocide of Armenians,” Aliyev told journalists after his meeting with Erdogan. “We will be coordinating our efforts to expose the fictional Armenian genocide. Our non-governmental and Diaspora organizations will be acting together.”

Calling Turkey and Azerbaijan “two nations from one stem”—two peas in a pod—Erdogan stressed that Azerbaijan’s rights should be taken into consideration when discussing a resolution to the Karabakh conflict.

He reassured Aliyev that “if the conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia is resolved, then the problems between Turkey and Armenia will also be solved.”

Erdogan said that “Turkey is ready to show determination on this issue” and promised to raise his perspectives on the Karabakh issue during the upcoming NATO summit in Wales.

This all comes a day after Turkey’s new prime-minister, Ahmet Davutoglu, put forth his government’s program, in which he reiterated the Erdogan’s statements about Karabakh and urged Armenians to not become “hostage to history.”

“We’ll also continue efforts to improve ties with Armenia in hopes that Yerevan will be guided by mutual interest for cooperation and search for ‘just memory,’ rather than historical hatred,” said Davutoglu.

This newly-cemented fraternalism between Turkey and Azerbaijan reinforces that both parties intend to continue their denial and hatred toward Armenians, and with one promising to do the other’s dirty work, it’s a sure bet that new “just” memories will be created.

Armenophobia is a jinn which can ‘bite’ Aliyev: expert

August 11, 2014 By administrator

The recent tensions at the line of contact between the Nagorno Karabakh (Artsakh) Republic and Azerbaijani armed forces and the Armenian-Azeri border can be explained by two factors, a Russian expert said.

“On the one hand, Azerbaijan’s aggression is an order from outside aiming to destabilize the South Caucasus. The Aliyev clan is integrated into the conditional ‘western colony club’ and has accounts, projects and other affairs abroad. That’s why some hints are enough to start escalation,” Denis Dvornikov told PanARMENIAN.Net

The second factor, according to him, is that Aliyev has become a hostage to his own bellicose rhetoric. “Armenophobia is a jinn which can ‘bite’ Aliyev if he stop demonstrating his intolerance towards Armenia,” Dvornikov said.

“The meeting in Sochi proved that the nonsense Aliyev usually tells his public doesn’t bear repeating. Getting ready for the trilateral meeting, the Azerbaijani leader knew that in the presence of the Russian and Armenian Presidents as well as numerous journalists and international observers he had better position himself as a peace-loving and law-abiding politician. Such an image, although quite comfortable for himself, is not acceptable for his voters, who are stuffed with hatred. That’s why the bloody incidents at the line of contact are a kind of sacrifice to gain domestic approval,” he added.

According to the expert, the situation will stabilize little by little. “Aliyev will have to show that he is not dancing to Moscow’s tune. That’s why provocations will continue for some more time and then subside,” he explained.

Dvornikov believes that there will be no large-scale hostilities. “First, Aliyev is clever enough to understand that his western partners can involve him in a slaughter and then step aside. He also understands that as long as he is tolerated by Moscow, his regime is safe. Besides, with launching a new war he risks leaving all of his expensive weaponry to Karabakh while the damaged infrastructure will bring Azerbaijan back to its beginnings,” he said.

Putin attends sambo tournament with Armenian and Azerbaijani colleagues

August 9, 2014 By administrator

The presidents of Russia, Armenia and Azerbaijan, Vladimir Putin, Serzh Sargsyan and Ilham Aliyev attended the international tournament in combat sambo in Sochi.

According to the Kremlin press service, this year the Russian martial arts team opposes the strongest athletes from Europe, Asia and America.

The heads of the three countries met in Sochi to discuss topical issues, the most important of which is the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. There were separate meetings of Vladimir Putin with the Armenian and Azerbaijani counterparts. On August 10 there is scheduled a trilateral meeting.

Putin Meets with Aliyev, Sarkisian

August 9, 2014 By administrator

A three way meeting of presidents is scheduled for SundaySOCHI–Russian President Vladimir Putin held separate meeting on Saturday with is Azerbaijani and Armenian counterparts at Bosharov Ruchey, the presidential residence in this port city. Among the topics discussed according to reports from all sides was the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, over which a tripartite presidential meeting is expected Sunday.

The tensions mounting in the Karabakh-Azerbaijan border were discussed by the President Serzh Sarkisian and Putin. The two also held discussions about Armenia’s membership in the Eurasian Economic Union and other bi-lateral concerns, according to the presidential press service.

“Vladimir Putin met with Armenian President Serzh Sarkisian in Sochi. The leaders of the two countries discussed Armenian-Russian relations in various areas as well as ways to resolve the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict,” said a statement by the Kremklin Saturday.
“Our relations are developing, and they are on the rise,” said Putin during his meeting with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, who also praised Baku-Moscow relations as positive and committed to “decisively grow the collaboration potential.”

Armenian Presidential spokesperson Narek Nikoghosyan announced about the Sunday meeting of the presidents on his Facbook page.

“Azerbaijan’s Aliyev will have to explain the logic behind his country’s military adventures and racist rhetoric,” Nikoghosyan added..

Aliyev’s deputy chief of staff Novruz Mammadov confirmed the Sunday meeting on his Twitter page.

Neither president elaborated on the specifics of the discussion about Karabakh and the growing instability there.

ANCA: Azerbaijan’s Aliyev full of irrational hatred against Armenians

May 23, 2014 By administrator

May 23, 2014 – 11:49 AMT

The Executive Director of Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) issued an open letter to all Armenians and Armenia’s friends. Aram Hamparian’s letter slams Azerbaijan’s unceasing military rhetoric and President Aliyev’s threats.

““Our main enemies are the Armenians of the world!” That’s not Talaat Pasha or Abdul Hamid talking. And these words aren’t from 1915. They were recently spoken by Azerbaijan’s Ilham Aliyev. Baku’s oil-rich autocrat who openly lays claim to Yerevan, pardons anti-Armenian axe-killers, and, with his Turkish partners, is striving to isolate Armenia and destroy Artsakh. He’s angry, full of irrational hatred against each and every Armenian around the world. We haven’t seen a world leader demonize an entire ethnicity like this since Nazi Germany.

And it’s not just talk. He’s backed up his threats with tens of millions of lobbying dollars. With fatal cross-border attacks, sniper fire, and a vast multi-billion dollar arms build-up. Aliyev spends more on arms every year than Armenia’s entire state budget. Scary as it may be, it’s time we took Aliyev at his word. With his allies in Ankara, he’s out to finish the work of 1915. He’s announced his motive, has the opportunity, and is buying the weapons,” the letter said.

“So, what stands in his way? Well, first and foremost, the brave young men who stand guard, night and day, along the frontiers of Armenian freedom. These soldiers are true heroes. And behind these courageous defense forces (and their families) are the rest of us. You and me and the 7 out of 10 Armenians who live outside our homeland. We’re the Second Army of the Armenian nation—in many ways, our homeland’s first line of defense. But, like any army, we need our people’s support—the resources, financial and otherwise—to sustain and strengthen our advocacy.

We are not called upon to make the sacrifices of soldiers, who put their lives on the line every day. But, make no mistake, the stakes for Armenia are just as high. Armenians worldwide, inspired by the Hai Tahd movement, truly play a vital role in protecting our homeland and promoting our rights.

Today our activism is more crucial than ever. Our nation is calling to us, as she has so often before. Recall the words of our great poet Yeghishe Charents: “Oh! Armenian People, Your Salvation Lies Only in Your Collective Power.”

Charents was right then, and his wise words still echo in our hearts. In this timeless spirit of common service to our greater cause, let us, as proud sons and daughters of a united nation, rally to the call of our homeland,” the letter said.

“None of us can do everything, but each of us should do something. And a great place to start is by being part of ANCA Telethon 2014. This is, very simply, the devotion we owe to our past. The determination we owe to our future. And the sacred debt we owe to ourselves. With your enduring faith and continued support, we can fight on all the fronts of the Armenian Cause:

Securing Armenian Genocide recognition and reparations; strengthening Armenia, creating jobs, reversing out-migration, fighting corruption, fostering democracy, growing the U.S.-Armenia economic relationship, and building Homeland-Diaspora consensus and cooperation around our shared national ideals; defending and supporting the status and security of the independent Republic of Nagorno Karabagh, pushing back against Azerbaijani aggression, and fighting the growing power of anti-Armenian lobbies here in America; maintaining Armenian identity and culture in our diaspora, by engaging and inspiring our youth and encouraging civic activism, and by protecting our communities in the Middle East by ensuring the delivery of international humanitarian relief to our at-risk communities,” Hamparian concluded.

The conflict between Nagorno Karabakh and Azerbaijan

The conflict between Nagorno Karabakh and Azerbaijan broke out as result of the ethnic cleansing launched by the Azeri authorities in the final years of the Soviet Union. The Karabakh War was fought from 1991 (when the Nagorno Karabakh Republic was proclaimed) to 1994 (when a ceasefire was sealed by Armenia, NKR and Azerbaijan). Most of Nagorno Karabakh and a security zone consisting of 7 regions are now under control of NKR defense army. Armenia and Azerbaijan are holding peace talks mediated by the OSCE Minsk Group up till now.