AMBASSADOR'S MEETING WITH THE WOMEN'S BAR

C O N F I D E N T I A L BAKU 001445

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/05/2017
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM KWMN KDEM AJ
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR'S MEETING WITH THE WOMEN'S BAR
ASSOCIATION BOARD

Classified By: AMBASSADOR ANNE E. DERSE PER 1.4(B,D).


1. (C) SUMMARY: In a November 20 lunch with the board of the
Women's Bar Association, the Ambassador noted that women have
much to contribute to Azerbaijan, particularly in democracy
and human rights promotion. The board members briefed the
Ambassador on their work, highlighting the fact that although
the association was just registered in August, it already has
more than 200 members. The association appears to be off to
a strong start, and its focus on gender-related issues may
inspire a broader public debate on this often overlooked
area. END SUMMARY


2. (U) On November 20, the Ambassador hosted a lunch for the
Women's Bar Association (WBA) board. Guests included
President Sabina Gahramanova; Vice President Mehriban
Abdullayeva; Vice President Khanim Ahmedzade; Secretary Lala
Hasanova; Treasurer Khalise Shaverdiyeva; Coordinator Nigar
Huseynova; and board members Narmin Kerimbeyova and Rovshana
Rahimova. The WBA is supported by USAID and the American Bar
Association Central European and Eurasian Law Initiative.
The Ambassador opened by noting that women have much to
contribute to Azerbaijan, particularly in the areas of
democracy and human rights.


3. (C) WBA President Sabina Gahramanova explained that the
WBA's main role is as intermediary between the GOAJ and NGOs
focused on women's issues. She noted that the State
Committee for Women's, Children's, and Family Issues refers
many cases to the WBA because of a lack of capacity to handle
a high volume of complaints. Gahramanova said that the WBA
is trying to develop contacts with more women in education,
and more young women. In addition, she said the WBA should
expand to work on religious issues, particularly at
Azerbaijan's universities, where young women can become
"confused" about religion.


4. (C) WBA Treasurer Khalise Shaverdiyeva briefed the
Ambassador on the WBA's background, noting that the group was
created in December 2006 and officially registered in August

2007. Although newly registered, she said the WBA has
already attracted more than 200 members. Shaverdiyeva said
that the WBA aims to strengthen women's empowerment by
increasing both the protection of women's rights and raising
greater public awareness of these rights. She also shared
the WBA's goal to increase voter turn-out among Azerbaijani
women in the October 2008 presidential election.


5. (C) Shaverdiyeva said that she hoped the WBA would be able
to assist in the implementation of the GOAJ's anti-corruption
strategy. The WBA had submitted a proposal to the GOAJ, she
explained, but had not yet received a response. The
Ambassador noted that the Embassy has presented the GOAJ with
recommendations on this strategy, including the suggestion
that NGOs like the WBA be included in the GOAJ's
anti-corruption commission and in an independent advisory
committee to the commission. The group discussed the strong
role women played in Azerbaijan's history. Gahramanova noted
that Azerbaijan had the first female diplomat in the eastern
world. The Ambassador commented that women's historical
democracy promotion efforts makes Azerbaijan unique and
demonstrates a real potential to move forward.


6. (C) Gahramanova noted that many of the female Members of
Parliament have taken an active interest in the WBA,
particularly Gular Ahmadova and Vice Speaker Bahar Muradova.
Shaverdiyeva said that female officials from many of
Azerbaijan's ministries also are supportive of the WBA.
Turning to the association's future plans, Gahramanova said
the WBA board was reviewing and compiling more than 30
proposals for its work plan. She pointed out that the next
few years will be very busy for the WBA, ith a presidential
election in 2008, municipal elections in 2009, and
parliamentary elections in 2010.


7. (C) The Ambassador raised potential GOAJ Internet
regulation, which the group said they would like to be
involved in. Gahramanova said that very little information
on international best practices for Internet regulation was
available in Azerbaijan, particularly regarding the issue of
freedom vice security. Shaverdiyeva noted concern that the
public would not be incorporated into the discussion on this
draft legislation, as is the norm in Azerbaijan. She
concluded that there is a widening gap between Azerbaijan's
laws "on paper" and their implementation.


8. (C) COMMENT: Although new, the WBA appears to be off to a
strong start, and has begun to be recognized by the larger
legal community, and the public, as a place to go for
expertise on gender-related issues. Its focus on this often
overlooked area is refreshing, and may help generate a

broader public debate on hot-button issues such as domestic
violence and trafficking in persons. We will continue to
engage with the WBA and explore areas of potential future
cooperation.
DERSE