by Shelby Vcelka

Impunity Watch Desk Reporter, Europe

BAKU, Azerbaijan–

From June 12-28, over 6,000 athletes will compete in the first-ever European Games, which is styled after the global Olympic Games. Prior to the Games, however, the host country, Azerbaijan, blocked a number of media outlets and human rights organizations from entering the country due to its history of substantial human rights abuses and a violent track record of suppressing dissent.

The Baku Olympic Stadium, the main venue for the Baku 2015 European Games. Azerbaijan, the host country, has come under strict scrutiny for their human rights abuses. (Photo courtesy of The Guardian)

Amnesty International is among those organizations barred from entering Azerbaijan during the European Games. The organization had been planning to report on the recent suppression of free speech, as protests have erupted over the Games. However, shortly before Amnesty officials were to arrive in Azerbaijan, they received a message from the Azerbaijan Embassy in London on June 9th, stating that the officials were no longer welcome until after the Games had ended.

At least 20 political prisoners are currently being held for exercising free speech and protesting peacefully against the European Games, according to Amnesty. However, activists within the country have drawn up a list of at least 80 names being held, with many more experiencing harassment, and seizure of property by local Azerbaijani authorities. Among those being held that are known are Khadija Ismayilova, an investigative reporter, and Intigam Aliyev, a human rights attorney for the European court of human rights.

Amnesty International’s deputy director for Europe and Central Asia, Denis Krivosheev, said, “The actions of the authorities have only highlighted their desperate attempts to create a criticism-free zone around the games. Far from advancing the goals of press freedom and human dignity enshrined in the Olympic charter, the legacy of these games will be to further encourage repressive authorities around the world to view major international sporting events as a ticket to international prestige and respectability.”

Azerbaijan has managed to repel criticism thus far by making powerful allies in international settings. By offering things such as free trips, expensive meals and other major gifts to Western European decision makers, as well as paying agencies to lobby on the country’s behalf, the Azerbaijani government has wrestled itself into a comfortable position within the Council of Europe to avoid condemnation of its policies. Its additional resourcefulness as a source of oil and gas makes Azerbaijan a useful alternative to Russian oil and gas. Member states of the European Union, looking to avoid Russian supplies, have subsequently turned to Azerbaijan. As a result of Azerbaijan’s successful marketing campaign and the reality of realpolitik, most countries participating in the games, as well as the European Union, have remained silent about Azerbaijan’s human rights abuses.

For more information, please see–

Washington Post– A letter from an Azerbaijani prison— 18 February 2015

UN Human Rights–“Azerbaijani activists must be freed before the Baku 2015 Games” – UN expert— 2 June 2015

The Guardian– Amnesty International blocked from visiting Azerbaijan before Baku 2015— 10 June 2015

The Guardian– Azerbaijan bans Guardian from reporting on Baku European Games— 11 June 2015

Newsweek– Games Put Azerbaijan’s Appalling Human Rights Record In The Spotlight— 12 June 2015

UN News Centre– Azerbaijan: UN rights office urges Government to ensure free expression and association— 16 June 2015

 

Author: Impunity Watch Archive