In 2015 the Picture in Azerbaijan was Quite Depressing

• 01.05.2016, 19:29
• Greta Avetisyan
•  Region,  "Insight" Analytical Center ,  World,  Analytics

2015 was quite an active year full of different events in Azerbaijan both in terms of internal and external politics. The year in the country started with quite tense internal political atmosphere – devaluation of manat because of fall of oil prices, consequently rise of prices in the country. Despite the close system of the country, the publications of several Azerbaijani websites made it clear that the public discontent in the country rises. Maybe in democratic countries waves of discontent and protests would be seen as natural and normal processes and would not seem something extraordinary, but not in Azerbaijan.

Maybe it is not a secret for anyone at what level human rights violations and freedom of expression in Azerbaijan is and how much active citizens of the country are being persecuted. During 2015 the official Baku was not once criticized for having political prisoners. If the European Summer Games 2015 in Baku before their start were seen as an opportunity to raise the image of the country (by the way for avoiding much criticism in the media, a number of international journalists and human rights organizations were banned to enter Azerbaijan), then already during the Games and after it became obvious, that the step of the Azerbaijani authorities was a mistake.

It was after the European Games that serious problems in the external politics of Azerbaijan arose, in particular, in relations with the West. After the so many years of unrestrained policy of Azerbaijan, it received an adequate answer, which was not even heard after the closure of the OSCE office in Baku. In September the European Parliament adopted a resolution, which not only condemned human rights violations and called to immediately release the political prisoners, but it was also mentioned that the sanctions should be put on Azerbaijani officials guilty of human rights violations. This resolution is also important in regard with the fact that it was mentioned that Azerbaijan continues hindering the contacts between the Armenian and Azerbaijani societies. One cannot hear this kind of addressed criticism so often – the absence of addressed criticism brings to the continuation of unpunished politics both in domestic and external arenas, especially on the borders.

The parliamentary elections of 2015 in Azerbaijan also proved that a lot “has been forgiven” and “is being forgiven” to Azerbaijan. Despite the results achieved by suppressing the expression of the will of the people, some international observers gave them a positive assessment inspiring the Azerbaijani authorities to continue its policy with the same spirit.

Already near the end of the year the Authorities of Azerbaijan tried to very smoothly solve the problems with the Shiite Muslims of Nardaran, calling them radicals. A "special action" was carried out, dozens of people were arrested, there were also people killed. These "radicals" however, are the part of the society that demand from the authorities social justice and criticize them for human rights violations.

In parallel with this, Azerbaijan develops tenser relations with its brotherly country Turkey. After the approval of the government, the first visit of the Foreign Minister of Turkey was to Baku, which was followed by Turkey’s Prime Minister Davutoglu’s visit – it was important to show that despite the bad relations with the West “the big brother is always with Azerbaijan.” However, the official Baku was once again taken aback – this time the American Congressmen suggested to put sanctions on Azerbaijani officials.

Thus, to sum up the picture in Azerbaijan in 2015 was rather depressing - clan interests and no respect towards the rights of its own citizens. The addressed criticism of the West is encouraging that at least in 2016 the international community will have a more objective policy towards Azerbaijan, realizing that by yielding to Azerbaijan’s "caviar diplomacy", in many cases it becomes Azerbaijan’s accomplice.