NGO LEADERS DEBATE REFERENDUM

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BAKU 000206 SIPDIS DEPT FOR EUR/CARC AND DRL E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/17/2019 TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM KDEM AJ SUBJECT: NGO LEADERS DEBATE REFERENDUM Classified By: Ambassador Anne E. Derse, for reasons 1.4 (b,d). ¶1. (C) SUMMARY: On February 25 the Ambassador held a roundtable discussion with leaders of Azerbaijani NGOs and youth groups. The discussion centered on the environment surrounding the March 18 referendum on changes to the constitution. The participants felt the public has little information about the referendum, due to lack of coverage in the media and little freedom to hold discussions on the topic. Youth group representatives, in particular, complained that government and opposition leaders do not offer unifying ideas to inspire people, and that opposition parties continue to be led by the same old faces. Youth groups are particularly worried about how their contemporaries are unengaged with their political process and asked for more USG support for exchanges and other youth oriented programs. END SUMMARY Restricted Media Prevent Public Education on Referendum -------------- -------------- ¶2. (C) Parviz Hashimli, the young leader of the Defense Center of Civil and Political Rights, gave an overview of the numerous problems he finds with the referendum. In general there has been little information available to the public about the numerous, complicated changes being made to the constitution. There is no coverage of the changes on the TV, and the pro-government newspapers distort information, especially any statements by the opposition. Emin Huseynov of the Institute of Reporters' Freedom and Safety agreed, citing media monitoring he has done with the support of the British Embassy. He added that TV news presents President Aliyev as a "national leader" and the referendum is presented in this light. Citing a theme heard often, he said the referendum was a "lost opportunity" for Azerbaijan, as it does not address other crucial national issues. AJ Youth Unengaged* Need to reach out -------------- ¶3. (C) Novella Jafaroglu of the Association for the Protection of Women's Rights expanded the discussion to problems NGOs face in Azerbaijan, particularly in the regions. They would like to target youth groups and work on education, but police harassment is likely. She believes the closing of the Abu Bakr mosque and other attacks on religion are driving young people towards religion, and it is possible that this referendum, as an attack on democracy, could drive young people to seek democracy. ¶4. (C) Vugar Salamli of Ol youth group countered that youth are apathetic and not informed about the referendum. He pointed out that many of the youth groups are trying to coordinate their activities now, and this is something that the donor community should support. Zaur Akbar of the Youth Club Public Union agreed, stating that there are smart, talented people in Azerbaijan's universities but they do not have faith in the system and are unengaged. He believes exchange programs are the best way to support these young people and help them learn values. ¶5. (C) Vafa Jafarova of Dalga Youth Movement said that the referendum has depressed everyone because it is impossible to hold debates to discuss the issue. But she stated the bigger issue is the lack of &ideas8 to inspire and unite people in Azerbaijan. Neither the GOAJ nor the traditional opposition parties offer any inspiration, or present ideas to unify the nation or constituent groups. Young people find no opportunity in Azerbaijan, and therefore they would rather be abroad. She added that this lack of opportunity is also an opening for religious groups to target young people. Sabuhi Gafarov of the Azerbaijan Liberal Youth Association agreed that Azerbaijan was at a dead end, and needed new leadership. He complained that the same people, or families, have been leading both the government and the opposition parties for decades. Why, he asked, is the opposition accusing the government of establishing a "monarchy", when the opposition itself has been led by the same people since independence? It's time for new leadership, he said. COMMENT -------------- BAKU 00000206 002 OF 002 ¶6. (C) A wide swath of the most active members of Azerbaijan's civil society is clearly disappointed with the referendum and consequently with the GOAJ. The restrictive environment in the media and in freedom of assembly means they have few outlets to express their thoughts. Most striking, young people see little within the political system, including the traditional opposition, to inspire them, and therefore largely stay away from public life. However, the moves among youth groups over the past year or so to unify and organize, as one participant put it, with the aim of coming up with affirmative plans and programs, is positive. More active USG engagement with these young people remains the most promising avenue to spread democratic values, and there continue to be many young people seeking support for this type of engagement. DERSE