Ilham Aliyev, the ‘Friend of Press’ and Azerbaijan

November 25, 2013 - 18:22 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net - The life in Azerbaijan is full of ‘surprises’. The shameful presidential polls were recently followed by another blunder: the country’s ‘independent’ committee on protection of journalists’ rights has bestowed the Friend of Press award upon re-elected President Ilham Aliyev.

The decision was based on the results of a survey among 93 media outlets, 89% of which named President Aliyev as a friend of the press, who ‘supports journalists and provides grants’.

The possibility to give the award to opposition and public figures was eliminated in 2002, when it the title was conferred on then-president Heydar Aliyev. The country’s new leader, Aliyev Jr., whose rule is famous for suppression and murder of journalists, jailing of bloggers and prosecution of ‘disobedient’ media, has succeeded in creating a atmosphere of total fear in the media field.

According to the Media Rights Institute, in 2012, journalists in Azerbaijan were 60 times subject to violence and psychological pressure, 10 reporters were arrested and 35 defamation lawsuits were filed. In 2013, the situation got even worse: 47 cases of physical pressure against journalists were registered, 36 lawsuits were filed in the first half of the year only, while state bodies refuse requests for information. All this led Azerbaijan to the list of countries where press is not free.

The West’s unwillingness to give a proper reaction to the ongoing suppression of the freedom of speech is also alarming. Nevertheless, more and more foreign reports tell about ‘caviar diplomacy’, bribery and beating of those who disagree with the ruling party. This turn is mostly conditioned by the sharp decrease of oil reserves. Actually, no one will soon need Azerbaijan as a source of hydrocarbon. Given the agreement that was finally reached on Tehran’s nuclear program, Iran will soon kick out Baku as an oil and gas supplier.

Maybe then, those fawning on the President, will have to think what kind of country they live in.