Have a Good NEWS

EBU, which uses music kitsch-fest, has a mandate to protect freedom of expression. Must Baku

We are just days away from our annual dose of glamor and European wonderfully kitsch issued by the Festival of the Eurovision Song Contest, coming to our shows this year in Baku, Azerbaijan May 26

The warm glow of the European Union that the show typically generate at least for one night, is one of the things of the European Broadcasting Union, the European association of national public service broadcasting putting contest on stage, he loves her. The EBU regularly reminded that someone hears, especially in these times of economic difficulties in Europe, which is the music fest, rather than pan-European political gestures worthy of Brussels or elsewhere, we are driven to love this continent.

This year, the EBU has an additional challenge in terms of Eurovision. You must decide how they will address the issue of human rights in Azerbaijan horrible - not because it is necessarily want, but by activists in Baku and elsewhere, as well as the media and some European governments have put the issue in honor

What happened to the light? A terrible toll on freedom of expression, with six journalists imprisoned on false charges, dozens of opposition activists and policy behind bars, according to local observers, the repression of peaceful demonstrations, the last Monday in the center Baku strict media controls to create a climate of fear in the country, and physical violence against those who say that the authoritarian country things, led by President Ilham Aliyev dislikes

One of the latest victims was Idrak Abbasov, a respected journalist. Last month filming forced evictions and house demolitions by the state oil company officials when the security company, in collaboration with the police, beaten unconscious, leaving him hospitalized. Research on this issue and others are lukewarm at best.

The primary mandate of the EBU protection and promotion of fundamental rights to freedom of expression, might suggest that the Eurovision use the opportunity to face Azerbaijan in its balance sheet rights. So far, however, has clearly decided not to do so. This is a setback for journalists and others in positions Azerbaijan for freedom of expression, and a position that the government in Baku can be used to legitimize their actions. This is not ideal for PR EBU itself.

media partnership that thrives on freedom of expression to ignore the abuses of this freedom at the gates of brilliant deductions Fairgrounds waterfront credibility of the organization.

The EBU has touched gently on freedom of expression in Azerbaijan in various statements, and 2 May in Geneva organized a workshop on these issues in order to promote "dialogue" between the authorities of the Azerbaijan, groups of local and international pressure, and others.

Find best price for : --Eurovision----Idrak--