Emil Agazade: Why single out Azerbaijan?

Emil Agazade is Head of Media at the European Azerbaijan Society.

Daniel Hamilton’s blog singled out Azerbaijan for some pretty harsh criticism. That criticism – and that singling out – reflects the stance and actions of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe.

Nobody is pretending that Azerbaijan is a perfect democracy. But then again, does such a thing exist?  Here in the UK we lock people up without trial, where we judge that they are a clear threat to the country and its population. We also have pretty extensive surveillance of ordinary citizens’ communications, and the government seems intent on extending that significantly. And, of course, there is a strong move – which should be fiercely resisted – to regulate the press. Nations do have a right to defend themselves, especially when they are at war or under direct threat.