After the Formula One race in Bahrain and before the UEFA Euro Cup 2012 in Ukraine another big event will be taking place in a country where human rights exist practically on paper only and where democracy has a different meaning than in our culture area.
This year’s Eurovision Song Contest, an event which shall be dominated by a joyful atmosphere, happy celebrating people and a positive message being sent out to the world, will be held in Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan. It is just another post-Soviet autocracy, the Presidency was inherited from father to son and real opposition is not accepted.
The President’s wife is the head of the organising committee and the President’s son will have a special appearance in the song contest.
The number of political prisoners, according to different human rights organisations, varies between 150 and almost 4,000. Dissidents and opposition members are being captured, bashed and tortured. A free press does not exist, different-minded journalists risk their life if they report from within the country.
Azerbaijan is also a very rich country. Oil, gas and various noble earths are responsible for the magnificent and impressive architecture which bestrides Baku and shows an overwhelming wealth to anyone visiting.
When we follow the Eurovision Song Contest this year, we should not forget all this but should ask ourselves whether or not such countries should remain Eurovision participants and whether or not they deserve our votes.