FB Digest@VoxPOPULI

 

“Aliyev relies on non-democratic regimes to protect his autocratic rule from the “dangerous” concepts of democracy, free elections, and popular sovereignty that might come from the United States and the European Union…”

(Lack of) Human Rights and Freedoms

The Council of Europe’s Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT) issued an official statement on July 3 regarding Azerbaijan. The Committee reports ongoing lack of cooperation from the Azerbaijani authorities. “The exceptional decision to issue an official statement stems from Azerbaijan’s persistent refusal to cooperate with the CPT. The Committee has made genuine efforts to engage in a constructive dialogue with the Azerbaijani authorities to address core issues within its mandate. The CPT’s reports on its visits have detailed allegations of ill-treatment and even torture by police officers. However, the Azerbaijani Ministry of Internal Affairs has taken no steps to implement the Committee’s long-standing recommendations to end these practices,” the statement reads. The CPT also notes that letters from its president to Baku have gone unanswered. The Committee seeks to advance dialogue through high-level talks in Baku. “The information gathered by the CPT raises further concerns, including threats to the integrity and safety of its visiting delegation members. This constitutes a fundamental and unprecedented breach of the Convention,” the statement emphasizes. Given the seriousness of allegations of ill-treatment and even torture by law enforcement officers against detainees, the CPT has included its 2022 special visit report to Azerbaijan as an annex to the statement. In its official statement released on July 3, the Committee expresses hope that the lack of cooperation will not result in a permanent breakdown in relations with the Azerbaijani authorities. The CPT reaffirms its readiness to support the Azerbaijani government in taking decisive steps to uphold the fundamental values it committed to as a member state of the Council of Europe.

On July 3, a petition to release Ulvi Hasanli, Sevinc Vagifgizi (Abbasova), and Elnara Gasimova, who were arrested in the “Abzas Media case,” to house arrest was reviewed. According to the journalists’ defenders, all three sessions in the Khatai District Court were presided over by Judge Sulkhane Hajiyeva. Hajiyeva is the same judge who previously issued the pre-trial detention orders in this case. All three journalists supported the petitions. Ulvi Hasanli stated that he would attend investigations when summoned and that there was no reason for his continued detention. They complained about the severe conditions in the detention center during the hot weather. None of the three petitions to replace detention with house arrest were granted. The journalists have remained in custody for seven months. The journalists believe there is no basis for their continued detention.

The detention period of those arrested in the “Toplum TV case” has been extended as well. Journalists and their lawyers are unhappy with the progress of the investigation in this case. Alasgar Mammadli expressed dissatisfaction with his examination during the court proceedings. Mammadli‘s detention period has been extended by an additional three months without justification or reason. He described this action as legal terror against him. He also mentioned that during his biopsy, his own doctors were not allowed to be present. A sample was not taken from the tumor on the right side of his throat, which is his main concern. Additionally, the key components prescribed by his doctor were not analyzed, which were crucial for determining the tumor’s characteristics. He doubts the objectivity of the analysis results.

It is reported that several foreign journalists were not allowed to attend an energy industry conference held in Baku at the beginning of June. The Guardian article states that ahead of COP29, which will be held in Baku this November, the government has increased pressure on the media. At least three journalists from the UK and France spoke to “The Guardian” about the issue. They said they felt unsafe when they were not allowed into the Baku Energy Week forum. Although the journalists registered for the event several weeks in advance, the Azerbaijani government did not provide a valid reason for denying them entry to the event.

Azerbaijan signs Strategic Partnership Declaration with China

In Kazakhstan’s capital, Astana, the “Joint Declaration on Establishing a Strategic Partnership between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the People’s Republic of China” has been adopted. The declaration outlines principles such as strengthening mutual cooperation on international issues and jointly protecting the common interests of both countries. The declaration further emphasizes that Azerbaijan and China have agreed not to permit their territories to be utilized for hostile actions against each other. It underscores their commitment to refrain from any activities that either party perceives as detrimental to their strategic partnership and overall relations.

Chairperson of the Azerbaijan Popular Front Party (AXCP) Ali Karimli, commented on the declaration between the two countries, saying that from the text of the declaration, it is evident that the Aliyev regime aims to gain additional leverage to neutralize the demands of the democratic world regarding human rights and freedoms in Azerbaijan by signing this document with a totalitarian country like China. Karimli: “Ilham Aliyev, with a single signature and without any public discussion, made China a strategic partner for Azerbaijan. Why did we choose China as a strategic partner? No one knows, and it hasn’t been explained to the public.

We certainly understand why Ilham Aliyev has chosen Russia as an ally and China as a strategic partner. It is also clear why he has not finalized the strategic partnership agreement with the European Union since 2017. Aliyev relies on non-democratic regimes to protect his autocratic rule from the “dangerous” concepts of democracy, free elections, and popular sovereignty that might come from the United States and the European Union. In front of our eyes, an international alliance of authoritarian and totalitarian regimes is being established worldwide. Ilham Aliyev is not just a participant in this process; he is one of its main initiators, spending money (state money, of course) for this purpose. And most dangerously, Aliyev has convinced himself that he alone knows what, how, and when to do things. He has effectively abolished all forms of collegiality and discussion in state administration. Parliamentarism has been destroyed, discussing politics in government is forbidden, and the ruling party (YAP) only follows orders. Even real kings and shahs did not have such absolute power. Just as Aliyev made China our strategic partner with a single signature, he could similarly declare North Korea or Cuba as our strategic partners or even allies if he sees it as beneficial.”

Governance and Corruption

President Aliyev’s former son-in-law, Russian businessman Emin Agalarov, has announced that they can accommodate up to 5,000 guests for the UN climate change conference. Yet details regarding the allocation and expenditure of funds for the company associated with Araz Agalarov, who faces sanctions due to the Russia-Ukraine war, remain undisclosed to the public. This year, during the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), held in Baku for participation, guests will also be hosted by President Ilham Aliyev‘s former son-in-law, Emin Agalarov, who previously hosted the COP29. According to procurement documents from the State Service for Antimonopoly Policy and Consumer Market Regulation under the Ministry of Economy, a procurement contract worth 9 million manats was signed directly between the State Housing Construction Agency (MIDA) and “Sea Breeze Construction” LLC, owned by the Agalarov family. The contract, signed without a tender but through a single-source procurement method, envisages temporary accommodation services for COP29 participants from May to December of this year.

The former head of the Sports Operations Department of the Baku City Circuit Operations Company (BCCOC), Chingiz Mehdiyev, has been charged with embezzling more than 399,000 manats from the budget during the organization of the “Formula 1” races held in Baku. The charges are based on the testimony of his ex-wife, Nermine Akbarova, who informed the prosecutor’s office a year ago. She alleged that Chingiz Mehdiyev was involved in embezzlement during the organization of the races, using the proceeds to buy properties in the United States under his brother’s name and transferring some of the funds to the account of “Dayton Investment LTD,” a company registered in the name of his mother in the Seychelles.

For several months, the Baku Court of Grave Crimes has been examining the case of 49-year-old Chingiz Mehdiyev. He is charged under the following articles of the Criminal Code: Article 179.3.2 (embezzlement in a large amount), Article 193-1.3.2 (legalization of a large amount of property obtained through criminal means), Article 308.2 (abuse of official powers resulting in serious consequences) and Article 313 (official forgery).