ART FOR DEMOCRACY: Antidote for repression- a new platform in the making (flyingcarpetsandbrokenpipelines.blogspot.de)

(flyingcarpetsandbrokenpipelines.blogspot.de) Crowd-funding appeal for an Art for Democracy website. The site will provide an engaging, interactive platform for art that promotes human rights and democratic reform in Azerbaijan.

Back when Azerbaijan was the host of the cheesy pop song contest Eurovision, a campaign launched in support of democracy in Azerbaijan quickly built up attention around key human rights and freedom of expression issues that were skillfully covered by millions of euros poured into the "Light Your Fire" Eurovision campaign. The thick and high facades that unfortunately have become the "building blocks" of the so- called "democratic" government of Azerbaijan were challenged by an unusual rival- art. The launched campaign- "Sing for Democracy" had one goal- to inform contestants and the visitors of what kind of country they were actually coming to.

It was a successful initiative and needless to say, certainly not a popular one with the local authorities. But that didn't stop its founders- the Human Rights Club and its partner organizations the Institute for Reporters' Freedom and Safety and the Center for National and International Studies. Since the situation in Azerbaijan only deteriorates in this sphere, the spin off- Art for Democracy is continuing to fight for the cause. But it needs your help (indiegogo.com)!  As the initiative describes itself, "we are offering an antidote" and their focus is on art as its a very powerful tool in fighting repression.


Art for Democracy website - for human rights in Azerbaijan from epitype on Vimeo.

So please help! We would highly appreciate any contributions! There is no contribution too little, there is no contribution too big :)

Art for Democracy Launches Crowdfunding Campaign

(azerireport.com) LONDON. December 4, 2013: The Baku-based Art for Democracy campaign has launched a new fundraising campaign through the crowdfunding website Indiegogo. Art for Democracy is seeking contributions for an exciting new website that will support the promotion of human rights and democratic reform in Azerbaijan. The donations can be made through the provided link here

Art for Democracy is a campaign of the Baku-based Human Rights Club, launched on 10 December 2012. Building upon the previous Sing for Democracy campaign, Art for Democracy seeks to use all forms of artistic expression to promote human rights and democratic reform in Azerbaijan.

With 140 people currently in detention or prison for politically motivated reasons and an ongoing crackdown by authorities on the fundamental rights to freedom of expression, assembly, and association, the human rights situation in Azerbaijan is alarming. The Art for Democracy campaign is seeking to counter this ongoing repression and improve the situation in the country by using art to promote human rights and democratic reform.

Art for Democracy is calling for donations for the development of a new, innovative website that will serve as a platform for Azerbaijan’s alternative artists to share their work, and as an interactive forum for Azerbaijanis to discuss human rights issues.

“In helping us to develop this website, contributors will be providing vital support for the promotion of human rights and democratic reform in Azerbaijan. The website will give Azerbaijanis a place both to access alternative art, and to discuss human rights issues that are important to our society”, said Human Rights Club Chairman and Art for Democracy Coordinator Rasul Jafarov.

Art for Democracy is developing the website with London-based design agency epitype, an ethical future company that uses design to build communities and enable social change.

“The site will take users on a journey through the key issues surrounding social justice and democratic reform in Azerbaijan. Regardless of their level of understanding, users will be able to engage with the issues facing Azerbaijan in an exciting, stimulating, and accessible way by discovering art, exploring the issues through reading and discussion, and contributing to the campaign by raising awareness through social media”, said epitype Creative Director Martin Roach.

The Indiegogo campaign allows supporters to make donations in any amount. For as little as £5, contributors can receive rewards such as digital music downloads and prints of artwork from alternative Azerbaijani artists. The fundraising campaign will run through 23 December.

“We are asking for help both through donations and in spreading the word about the crowdfunding campaign. Every donation, no matter how big or small, is a tremendous help”, said Jafarov (Art for Democracy Press Release).

Blog: Azerbaijan construction boom- good or bad? (flyingcarpetsandbrokenpipelines.blogspot.com)

An article I wrote recently for Osservatorio Balcani e Caucaso (OBC) on construction boom in Azerbaijan.

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The full article can be accessed here >>>.

PHOTOREPORTAGE: An Azeri village in Georgia / Un villaggio azero in Georgia (osservatoriobalcani.org)

Our correspondents from Baku and Yerevan, Arzu Geybullayeva and Onnik Krikorian, visited an ethnic Azeri village in Karajala, eastern Georgia. A photo-reportage[...]The full article accompanied by photos and video is at: www.osservatoriobalcani.org

Un villaggio azero in GeorgiaI nostri corrispondenti da Baku e Yerevan, Arzu Geybullayeva e Onnik Krikorian, sono stati a Karajala, in un villaggio etnicamente azero nella Georgia orientale. Un fotoreportageThe full article accompanied by photos and video is at: www.osservatoriocaucaso.org

---Also see:
http://globalvoicesonline.org
http://frontlineclub.com/blogs/onnikkrikorian/2009/09
http://flyingcarpetsandbrokenpipelines.blogspot.com/2009/10

---The Global Voices Online post is also available in Spanish, Chinese and Bangla.

AUDIO: An unexpected visit to an Azeri village wedding (frontlineclub.com)

By Onnik Krikorian and Arzu Geybullayeva

It was a dream come true. Despite knowing each other for several months online, the chances of meeting regional analyst and superstar blogger Arzu Geybullayeva seemed remote at best and unlikely at worst. As Arzu is based in Istanbul, Turkey, and Baku, Azerbaijan, it's not easy for someone based in Armenia with an Armenian surname to meet even virtual friends from the country's easterm neighbour in the South Caucasus.
Armenia and Azerbaijan still remain locked in negotiations to find a peaceful solution to the 20-year-old conflict over the disputed territory of Nagorno Karabakh. Rhetoric from the authorities in Baku remains as bellicose as ever and the situation is hardly ideal in Armenia or especially among ethnic Armenians in Karabakh itself. Meetings between those from either country on neutral ground are often frowned upon by the majority population in each.
But always expect the unexpected in the South Caucasus, and a meeting of youth activists inTelavi, Georgia, saw the unlikely happen. With myself presenting a module on new media for the meeting, Arzu was also present as a facilitator for the Azerbaijani delegation. Picking her up from Tbilisi International Airport on Sunday morning, the two hour journey to Telavi provided a wonderful opportunity to finally speak in person, but the best was yet to come.
Ten minutes outside of Telavi was Karajala, a village Inhabited by anywhere between 8-10,000 ethnic Azeris in Georgia. As Arzu and I had often spoken about joint projects using traditional and new media to overcome the negative stereotypes of the other in play in Armenia and Azerbaijan, it provided us with the first of hopefully many projects along the same lines. What we weren't expecting, however, was to walk straight into an ethnic Azeri wedding.
An article accompanied by my photos on Karajala by Arzu Geybullayeva will soon be available on Osservatorio Balcani e Caucaso while the both of us will blog more about the visit. Until then, an audio slideshow put hastily together late last night is below. The whole experience was indeed a dream come true. Although I've interviewed Arzu by Skype for Global Voices Online before, little could I have ever imagined that not only would we finally meet, but we'd also work together.
Hopefully, the first time will not be the last.

The full audio slideshow of images from Karajala is available at: frontlineclub.com

BLOG: "Major cause of Azeri March constitutional referendum revealed- opposition paper" (flyingcarpetsandbrokenpipelines.blogspot.com)

The following article appeared in BBC Monitoring- Former Soviet Union news.

"Infighting and sharp strife over who will be the next president of Azerbaijan are believed to be the major reason for the unscheduled 18 March 2009 referendum, Azerbaijani opposition newspaper has said quoting its sources. The ruling New Azerbaijan Party (NAP) has proposed constitutional amendments that would remove the article barring the president from serving more than two consecutive terms, thereby paving the way for Ilham Aliyev's re-election in 2013. Prior to this decision, efforts were underway, according to the article, to set up a team for the country's first lady to become a president after 2013. However, the ruling NAP thwarted plans calculated for the first lady, initiating amendments to the constitution to clear all the legal obstacles for the incumbent president to run for the post in 2013. The following is the text of Maqsud Mahrizli, A. Aras report by opposition Azerbaijani newspaper Yeni Musavat on 26 February headlined "Vasif Talibov funds Boyuk Daya! q" and subheaded "Shocking reports about the brand new pro-government party. Secret battle is underway between the two new pro-government parties"; subheadings have been inserted editorially:

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