Three months remain at the disposal of the authorities

In May 2011, when the young singers Eldar Gasimov and Nigar Jamal won the song contest Eurovision-2011, Azerbaijan was very happy. The authorities did not lose time, and taking the advantage of the situation, began to claim that the victory became possible only thank to their policy, in particular the activity of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation. But later, when the heat of emotions has lessened, the thoughts about coming contest Eurovision-2012  has caused a lot of questions.

The fact that Azerbaijan will host the Eurovision-2012, has made Azerbaijan very happy, but also has made official Baku to give a thought, because the West has become more closely scrutinize the ongoing processes in Azerbaijan. Political circles and media in Europe and the USA have become more insistently analyze the situation with human rights and democracy in Azerbaijan, and began to publish critical reports.

The first reaction to the victory of the representatives of Azerbaijan at Eurovision-2011 appeared in the German magazine "Shpigel", which along with the success of Azerbaijan,  wrote about  the violation of human rights in Azerbaijan,  the arrests of political prisoners and most active participants in social networks, and  increasingly widening the gap between rich and  poor.  Similar articles appeared in various editions of the West.

Europe is vigilantly watching everything that happens in Azerbaijan. Europe would like such a prestigious event to be held in a country that respects human rights and democracy, which wants to integrate with Europe not in words but in deeds. It is no accident that the European Union's representative in Azerbaijan Roland Kobia congratulated the people of Azerbaijan with a victory at the Eurovision-2011, but did not forget to add: "I'm sure that hosting this event in 2012 in Baku will be a landmark event in terms of attracting the world attention to the country. This is a great opportunity for Azerbaijani society, to show the world that it is completely and radically modernized. “In the meantime, the Azerbaijani authorities do not want to take advantage of this opportune moment.”

There are only three months to the Eurovision-2012, but the problems existing in Azerbaijan remain unresolved, and have become more aggravated. The confrontation in the political, economic and social spheres has increased. Prisons are "enriched" with political prisoners, the right of opposition to hold  rallies is still not recognized, the scale of monopoly and corruption is not decreased, the houses at the areas where the contest will be held are demolished under the pretext of making a park, there is mass violations of property rights of citizens, thousands of new members have joined the army of unemployed, taxi drivers have become a victims of bring of new London cabs in Baku.

At a time when opposition is not permitted to hold rallies and marches, disgruntled citizens began to demand their rights. Those whose homes were demolished, who have lost property, and the taxi drivers who have lost their job, try to defend their rights before state institutions. It is not clear whether this processes stop till Eurovision-2012 or not. The more the authorities hurry to show Europe "modernized" Baku, the more they violate the rights of citizens.

Another headache for the authorities will become the decision of the Public Chamber to hold a rally in the coming months. In April 2011 the authorities dispersed the opposition rallies, but before the song contest it will not be easy to drive their opponents into jails by police batons.

The authorities, which are flustered by the preparations to the May Music Festival, and think of what else they can  destroy or build, will have to think about how to bring down a wave of protests in the coming months. Otherwise, tens of thousands of visitors and media representatives coming to Baku will inquire the details of the protests in Azerbaijan. To avoid this, it is very important, first of all, to release all persons belonging to the category of political prisoners.