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AZERI POLICE BREAK UP OPPOSITION RALLIES AHEAD OF EUROVISION
ARMENPRESS
http://armenpress.am/eng/news/692559/azeri-police-break-up-opposition-rallies-ahead-of-eurovision.html
11:24, 25 May, 2012
YEREVAN, MAY 25, ARMENPRESS: For Azerbaijan, hosting the glitz and
glamour of the Eurovision Song Contest was part of a charm offensive
to put the ex-Soviet Republic on the map, reports Armenpress citing
Eruonews.
But increased international attention has also led to criticism of
the country's human rights record.
Earlier, police arrested 35 people protesting outside the state
television station in the capital Baku.
Activists accuse President Ilham Aliyev of stifling dissent and
restricting media freedom.
They say Eurovision lends credibility to an authoritarian regime that
jails political opponents.
Human rights lawyer Lela Yunnus said: "My message to Eurovision is -
Shame on you that you did not support democratisation and freedoms
in Azerbaijan (and) the rule of law."
Aliyev has ruled Azerbaijan for nine years after inheriting power
from his father.
At the last parliamentary election in 2010, the main opposition party
failed to win a single seat.
ARMENPRESS
http://armenpress.am/eng/news/692559/azeri-police-break-up-opposition-rallies-ahead-of-eurovision.html
11:24, 25 May, 2012
YEREVAN, MAY 25, ARMENPRESS: For Azerbaijan, hosting the glitz and
glamour of the Eurovision Song Contest was part of a charm offensive
to put the ex-Soviet Republic on the map, reports Armenpress citing
Eruonews.
But increased international attention has also led to criticism of
the country's human rights record.
Earlier, police arrested 35 people protesting outside the state
television station in the capital Baku.
Activists accuse President Ilham Aliyev of stifling dissent and
restricting media freedom.
They say Eurovision lends credibility to an authoritarian regime that
jails political opponents.
Human rights lawyer Lela Yunnus said: "My message to Eurovision is -
Shame on you that you did not support democratisation and freedoms
in Azerbaijan (and) the rule of law."
Aliyev has ruled Azerbaijan for nine years after inheriting power
from his father.
At the last parliamentary election in 2010, the main opposition party
failed to win a single seat.