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Mar 14, 2013 - One rapper arrested, two musicians forced into exile, a cinematographer harassed, actors fired, writers banned, all for standing up to the regime. This is the life of an artist in Azerbaijan.
Azerbaijan's oil wealth may have caused an economic boom in the country, but with the upswing in incomes has come a crackdown on human rights and freedom of expression. Thousands of Azerbaijanis have been forcibly evicted from their homes by government projects to redevelop sections of the capital city, Baku; protesters have been arrested and beaten; journalists working to expose the government's corruption and crony capitalism have been threatened, beaten, kidnapped, and killed; artists taking a stand to fight for democracy have been imprisoned and forced into exile.
In the spring of 2012, Azerbaijan hosted the Eurovision song contest, bringing a host of foreign press attention into the country. Human rights activists began the organization "Sing for Democracy" to pressure the media to look past Azerbaijan's public relations propaganda and take a critical look at the country's failure to uphold human rights. In December, three human rights NGOs collaborated to form Art for Democracy, fronted by exiled rapper and musician Jamal Ali and directed by exiled journalist and activist Rebecca Vincent.
Art for Democracy builds on Sing for Democracy's work, seeking to protect activist-artists in Azerbaijan and expose the web of corruption and human rights abuses inflicted on the population.
Art for Democracy begins their work at a time when artists continue to face arrest and harassment, and the global media has turned its attention away from Azerbaijan. Most recently, Azeri rapper Dado was detained after producing a music video criticizing the police. Art for Democracy is now sponsoring a song contest for musicians to speak out against government corruption and civil rights abuses, and to encourage Azerbaijanis to use art as a means of activism.
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FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Art For Democracy:
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"Art for Democracy Campaign Under Attack in Azerbaijan"
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"Arrest of Azeri Rapper After He Wrote a Song About the Police"
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"Art for Democracy Foreign Activist Not Allowed Back to Azerbaijan"
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Human Rights Watch:
Azerbaijan: Stop Harassing Writer
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