Center for National and International Studies

 

FB Digest@VoxPOPULI

01.11.2021

If the intellectuals keep silent about the corruption, social injustice, and do not bother to protest even once, then they can not be considered as an intellectual.

Governance, economy, corruption, transparency

Where is the place of intellectuals? Where do they or should they stand as public figures?

FB community has been busy reacting to writer Chingiz Abdullayev’s controversial post. In his post, Abdullayev shared a story of an incident that happened to him while waiting in the business lounge of the airport to board his flight. While the majority found his writing style ridiculous, especially as a writer, a group of public activists believes that the reason why his post caused so much reaction has a lot to do with Abdullayev’s negligence as an intellectual towards social injustice in his homelands. This post once again brought up the question of intellectuals’ involvement in socially mattered issues. Reflecting on Abdullayev’s post, political activist Bakhtiyar Hajiyev said that Abdullayev should take these reactions seriously as a reminder that the public still has expectations from him. Hajiyev wrote: One of the reasons for Chingiz Abdullayev‘s harsh criticism on social media is that when there were a thousand problems in the country, the famous writer did not speak about these problems either in the press or on social media. I can count hundreds of problems, each affecting the lives of hundreds of thousands, if not millions of people. Chingiz Abdullayev should be glad that people still have expectations from him, otherwise they would not react at all. He should think about his moral duty, at least at this stage of his life, he should talk about the solution of the people’s problems.”

In his later post, Hajiyev continued the ongoing discussions, further developing his argument that “an intelligent and patriotic person must be wise enough to know and understand that the social problems inflicted incurable wounds on his country and its citizens.”

Fuad Gahramanli drew the attention of his followers to the issue of transparency. Gahramanli wrote: The government is not informing the public about the document, which is expected to be signed between Azerbaijan and Armenia early next month. The very secrecy of this issue is a matter of serious concern.” Gahramanli added that “if such a document is signed, it will have two consequences: The resumption of communications between the two countries will mean that Azerbaijan does not actually consider Armenia an occupier. This means accepting the Armenians of Karabakh as a party to the conflict; secondly, Azerbaijan has come to terms with the occupation of Karabakh and considers its territory secure without Karabakh.”

Head of APFP Ali Karimli wrote that Vidadi Muradov, the head of Azerkhalcha, who was arrested several months ago for corruption charges, was released. Karimli added that Saleh Rustamli, who was Gadabay’s chief executive in Elchibey‘s government, has been in prison for four years. Saleh Rustamli is a veteran of the first Karabakh war and played a decisive role in the operation to liberate Bashkend. Karimli asked how can it be said that there is law and justice in this country if someone who embezzled millions from the state budget is released, but those who helped their compatriots are kept in prison?

Professor Altay Goyushov wrote that the dictator of Turkmenistan that has one of the largest gas reserves in the world instructed the ministers at the meeting to save gas. Goyushov added that a similar conversation happened in Azerbaijan as well when Rovnag Abdullayev of SOCAR reacted to the increasing prices by saying that “you leave the window open, so the gas blows away”. Goyushov concluded his post with these remarks: We all know that the problem is not how the people spend gas, how they leave the window open but is the dictatorship, where they steal from the state in order to buy two million dollar watch. I think everyone knows, or maybe I just assume that everyone knows?

Human Rights and Liberties

Azadliq newspaper reports that Aziz Mamiyev, a member of the board of the Musavat Youth Organization, was chased by three civil police officers on his way home from work. When Mamiyev reached the building where he lives, they drove a Land Cruiser towards him and tried to stop him.

Public activist and blogger Samaddin Mammadov, who covered local issues in Jalilabad, was taken from his home yesterday. It is unknown where he is being held. His family is worried about his safety. Mammadov’s son Nahib Mammadov told that his father was abducted by armed men.

Monitoring Center for Political Prisoners made a statement that they consider the arrest of Sardar Babayev politically motivated, and the accusation against him is fabricated.

Journalist in exile Afgan Mukhtarli wrote on his FB  post that after the beginning of so-called reforms and dialogue, repressions intensified in the country. Mukhtarli wrote: After this reform game, APFP activists, immigrant bloggers, activists deported from Europe to Azerbaijan were arrested. The prosecution of migrants in Europe and the number of assassinations have increased. We hear the news of arrest every day. In Jalillabad, blogger Samaddin Mammadov was arrested for his critical remarks. His son, who protested against this illegality, was beaten by the police. Samaddin Bey’s son Nihad was a participant in the Second Karabakh War. The war is over. Apparently, now the Aliyevs have decided to crack down on veterans. A few days ago, we witnessed the police brutality against war veterans during the protests. Aliyev does not need a victorious soldier, a victorious people, he needs submissive slaves. Just like the ones the talk tales on dialogue and reform.”

Post War situation. Reconstruction and resettlement.

Meydan TV reports that the war veterans, whose condition worsened at the 17th Police Station, were taken to hospital. The veterans were reportedly beaten by police in the police station while making complaints. On October 26, participants of the war held a protest rally on Ziya Bunyadov Avenue and tried to close the highway. The protest was caused by the demolition of the small market they run on the avenue and their eviction. According to the protesters, officers of the 17th police department raided the area and took about 30 people to the unit.

Gubad Ibadoghlu reacted to the reconstruction work in Karabakh, questioning the transparency of the companies involved. Ibadoghlu’s post reads: The restoration of Karabakh creates additional opportunities for business people and the local population. Thus, a local entrepreneur can start a business, and the unemployed can get jobs there. However, according to reports, no other entrepreneur is allowed in, except for companies owned by high-ranking Chinese officials and those close to the ruling family. It is even reported that despite the high level of unemployment in Azerbaijan, foreign workers are brought to work in Karabakh.” Ibadoglu also added that “foreign investment is very important in the process of reconstruction and development of Karabakh, but the government’s corrupt interests hinder the attraction of foreign investment in the liberated territories.”

Gubad Ibadoghlu also reacted to the resettlement of IDPs. Ibadoghlu wrote: If IDPs have the opportunity to settle in the liberated areas, there is no need to build a residential area in Sumgayit, which will be commissioned in a year. Secondly, it is planned to spend 34,621 manats for an IDP family in this settlement. However, it is planned to spend an average of 25,000 manats for the houses to be built in Karabakh under the Great Restoration Plan.”

Meydan TV reports that it has been a year since his family has not heard from Elnur Gadirli, who went missing in the Second Karabakh War. His brother Elvin Gadirli said that the ministry has not been helpful despite his numerous calls.  


November 2, 2021