An appeal has been submitted to Mehriban Aliyeva, the head of the Organizing Committee for Eurovision 2012 as part of the human rights campaign “Sing for Democracy” launched with regard to Eurovision Song Contest to be hosted by Azerbaijan in May, 2012.
The appeal was signed by the heads of organizations that initiated the campaign.
The appeal brings up the problem of political prisoners, freedoms of assembly, association and expression, property rights, the illegal operation of Public TV and Radio broadcasting and the restrictive visa regime. The resolution of these issues can help create a positive international image of Azerbaijan, the host of Eurovision 2012.
The appeal requested Aliyeva to make efforts to resolvef these problems, and expressed willingness to meet and cooperate with the Organizing Committee.
At the end of July, civil society representatives launched a human rights campaign called “Eurovision 2012 in Azerbaijan: Free music in a non-free country?”. The campaign was initiated by Defence Alliance for Political Freedoms, Human Rights Club, the Institute for Reporters’ Freedom and Safety and the Institute for Peace and Democracy. The campaign is open for local and international organizations to join.