nuclear-news

Rihanna and Shakira -Azerbaijan -The abuse of Zaur Gurbanli and Tony Blairs love of formaldehyde

“A regular blogger, he recently posted an article criticizing government corruption and nepotism. The piece ridiculed the inclusion of a poem by President Ilham Aliyev’s daughter as mandatory reading in the country’s school curriculum.

“It looks very much like the Azerbaijani authorities decided Zaur Gurbanli crossed the line when he poked fun at the president’s family,” said Dalhuisen. “If he is being targeted because of his legitimate political or online activity, he must be released immediately.”

Criticism of the president’s family frequently provokes a swift and harsh response from the Azerbaijani authorities. In March this year two musicians were arrested and tortured after they insulted the president’s late mother during a performance.”

Joint Letter Details Country’s Human Rights Violations

Contact: Sharon Singh, ssingh@aiusa.org, 202-675-8579, @spksingh

(New York) — Top-selling artists Rihanna and Shakira should bear in mind the human rights abuses being inflicted on the people of Azerbaijan before they perform in the country’s capital later this month, Amnesty International and Sing for Democracy warned in a letter addressed to the singers before their concerts. The two singers are appearing in Baku during the current FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup 2012.

In a joint letter, the two organizations draw attention to the current state of human rights and freedom of expression in Azerbaijan. Stadiums may cheer for internationally renowned recording artists like Rihanna and Shakira, but citizens within the European country do not enjoy such freedom of expression and are often persecuted when attempting to speak out.

As the letter informs these artists, the 2005 murder of reporter Elmar Huseynov still remains unsolved. Today, many Azerbaijani journalists, bloggers and political activists have been arrested and persecuted multiple times.

The letter – signed by John Dalhuisen, Amnesty International’s Europe and Central Asia program director, and Sing for Democracy coordinator Rasul Jafaro – highlights the ban on anti-government protests in the center of Baku.

“Both singers should be aware of the situation in the country post-Eurovision,” the letter states. “This includes the spurious criminal case against photo-journalist Mehman Huseynov on trumped up hooliganism charges.”

Huseynov had actively been involved in human rights campaign conducted ahead of the Eurovision 2012 Song Contest. If convicted, he faces five years in jail.

In a separate case, a singer arrested at a peaceful protest by young people on March 2012, had to leave the country because of ongoing harassment.

“Amnesty International believes that the Azerbaijani government should afford all artists, journalists, activists and ordinary citizens the right to express themselves freely without fear of reprisal. We hope that you share our belief,” concludes the letter.

Amnesty International is a Nobel Peace Prize-winning grassroots activist organization with more than 3 million supporters, activists and volunteers in more than 150 countries campaigning for human rights worldwide. The organization investigates and exposes abuses, educates and mobilizes the public, and works to protect people wherever justice, freedom, truth and dignity are denied.

http://www.amnestyusa.org/news/press-releases/rihanna-and-shakira-should-think-twice-before-performing-in-azerbaijan-because-of-human-rights-abuse

Putin skips Baku International Forum

“The forum’s participants include world-renowned statesmen, Nobel Prizewinners in various fields of science, leaders of influential international organizations, and representatives of political, scientific and cultural elite of the world.”

“Baku is giving festive look on the occasion of the forum as some towering personalities and intellectuals from across the world are gathered here to attend it”

October 13, 2012 - Posted by arclight2011 | Uncategorized