The Western Azerbaijan Community has sharply condemned US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and other US officials for their persistent and blatant attempts to interfere in Azerbaijan’s internal affairs.
Day: December 12, 2024
In a video address released on December 12, Ambassador of the United Kingdom to Georgia Gareth Ward expressed his dismay at the decisions made by the Georgian Dream party, including those seen as a deviation from Georgia’s Euro-Atlantic path. “We are shocked by the violence used by law enforcement and informal groups,” the Ambassador said in his address in the Georgian language, calling the actions “unacceptable” and urging their immediate cessation.
He recalled significant changes to the UK’s bilateral relationship with Georgia, citing concerns about democratic backsliding and recent violence against protesters, journalists, and opposition figures, and noted that the UK Foreign Secretary announced that UK restricted bilateral cooperation between the United Kingdom and Georgia. “This means we are suspending programmatic support for the Georgian government, such as funding for public administration reform and the Peace Fund of the State Ministry for Reconciliation and Civic Equality. We are also restricting military cooperation. For instance, we will no longer assist Georgia’s Ministry of Defense in building its cybersecurity operations center,” the Ambassador said. Political engagements are similarly affected, with the UK suspending the Wardrop Strategic Dialogue under the current circumstances.
Ambassador Ward stressed the need for accountability, highlighting reports from Georgia’s Public Defender that over 400 detainees show signs of physical abuse. He called for an independent investigation into the alleged excessive use of force by police.
The UK also urged Georgian Dream’s leadership to hear the voices of Western partners who have supported Georgia’s sovereignty for over two decades. Despite the challenges, the Ambassador expressed confidence in Georgia’s potential to become a successful full-fledged democracy, warning that “the alternative is autocracy.”
The UK’s decision to restrict cooperation with Georgia follows a series of similar steps taken by other Western nations. Since October 29, Sweden has halted direct cooperation with Georgia in response to the government’s deviation from its Euro-Atlantic path. On November 30, the United States suspended its strategic partnership with Georgia over the government’s delay in EU accession, while Germany halted new development projects and loan agreements. These actions reflect growing international concern over Georgia’s departure from European democratic norms.
Also Read:
It is well known that #AntonyBlinken‘s double standards in relation to the current situation of #humanrights in our country has paralyzed the #SouthCaucasus policy of the #UnitedStates as a whole. https://t.co/ZGXQmZollB
— Amid Tahmasib 🇦🇿 (@amidtahmasib) December 12, 2024
Anthony Blinken: “She returned knowing that she might be arrested on arrival.”
The U.S. Department of State awarded Sevinj Vagifgizi, the editor-in-chief of AbzasMedia, with the “Champions of Combating Corruption” award.
Sevinj is known for her work on corruption investigations, and she is currently imprisoned.
In his speech, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken highlighted Sevinj’s devotion over the past decade in exposing government abuses.
“She is also the one awardee who is not with us this afternoon. In November 2023, Sevinj flew home from an overseas country amid a crackdown on Azerbaijani independent media. She returned knowing that she might be arrested on arrival. She was. Now, more than a year later, she remains in detention. Prior to her arrest Sevinj wrote and I quote, ‘I don’t feel fear anymore. I know what they can do. It does not stop me. It is more important to be useful to the people. People need us’”
-Antony Blinken
Blinken also expressed gratitude to the ten anti-corruption champions for their courage. He said it was an honor to partner with them in this fight. The Department of State created the “Champions of Combating Corruption” award in 2021 to recognize individuals who have made significant progress in fighting corruption and to show the U.S. government’s solidarity with them.
This year’s award recipients include journalists, human rights defenders, judges, and even government officials who have facilitated major institutional changes. Other awardees include Jorge Mora Cortes from Colombia, Matrika Daxal from Nepal, Altin Dumani from Albania, Srbukhy Galyan from Armenia, Carl Irani from Lebanon, Marr Nyang from Gambia, Javier Enrique Caraballo Salazar from Panama, Didar Smagulov from Kazakhstan, and Jimmy Spyre Ssentongo from Uganda. Blinken emphasized that each recipient made a difficult decision to help their own citizens and all the people around the world, and their dedication, along with those of others, we are in a better place now.
AbzasMedia, the organization behind Sevinj’s work, has also faced significant challenges. Six of its employees, including the general manager Ulvi Hasanlı, assistant Muhammad Kekalov, editor Sevinj Vagifgiz, reporters Nargiz Absalamova and Elnara Gasimova, and investigative journalist Hafız Babali, have been arrested. These individuals are facing charges of smuggling, with some detained since November 2023.
On May 31, 2024, journalist and economist Farid Mehralizade from the “Azadlig” radio station was arrested, and a search was conducted at his home. He was accused under Article 206.3.2 of the Penal Code, which concerns smuggling by a group of individuals who had previously made secret agreements. The Khatai District Court decided to detain him for security reasons. On the same day, AbzasMedia issued a statement declaring that Mehralizade had no connection to the media organization.
Following this, each of the detainees in the AbzasMedia case was faced with additional serious charges related to financial matters. Since November 2023, nearly 20 journalists and social activists have been arrested in Azerbaijan on smuggling charges. None of these individuals have been charged based on their professional activities or political affiliations.
According to local human rights organizations, there are currently around 300 political prisoners in Azerbaijani prisons. Authorities typically assert that no one has been detained solely for political reasons related to their professional activities. However, both local and international human rights organizations believe these arrests are politically motivated, and they are calling for the release of the detainees and the withdrawal of the charges against them.
The post Sevinj Vagifgizi honored as anti-corruption champion appeared first on MEYDAN.TV.
- Violent protests in Georgia highlight battle over the country’s future. Here’s why it matters. CBS News
- In Georgia Protests, Echoes of Ukraine’s Past Revolutions The New York Times
- Georgia has set a precedent that could undermine EU enlargement Al Jazeera English
- Hundreds of arrests and mysterious beatings as Georgia cracks down on pro-EU protests Reuters
- Protests in Georgia continue amid intensified police crackdown Euronews
- Georgia is deemed a safe country of origin. Is it now time this was looked at again? The Irish Times
- Georgia Protests 13th Night as EU Threatens ’Measures’ Kyiv Post
- In Georgia, anger spreads beyond the capital: ‘We’ve never seen such a treacherous government!’ Le Monde
- Opinion | The Streets of My Country Are Full of Fury The New York Times