Loreen Meets with Azerbaijan Opposition Activists

Loreen — “Eurovision 2012” representative of Sweden — met with head of the the Institute for Reporters’ Freedom and Safety (IRFS) Emin Huseynov, Rasul Jafarov, head of the Human Rights Club and Cordinator of Norwegian house of Human Rights Shahla Ismayilova

The meeting, arranged at the press center of IRFS, was conducted with the support of “Human Rights Defenders” organization of Sweden and House of Human Rights, IRFS told APA.

Robert Hards, a representative of “Civil Rights Defenders” organization also attended the meeting.

Loreen was informed about human rights and freedoms, freedom of assembly, freedom of speech, property rights conditions in Azerbaijan and her questions were answered.

Local human rights activists assessed meeting with Swedish singer as a support to “Sing for Democracy” movement. They proposed the singer to sound any supportive statement at the semi final and final of “Eurovision” for the human situation in Azerbaijan

Loreen also noted that she was satisfied with the meeting and she will always try to defend and protect human rights and Azerbaijan will also be in this line.

Swedish ambassador to Azerbaijan Mikael Eriksson together with head of Musavat Party Isa Gambar and Azerbaijan Popular Front Party Ali Karimli met Eurovision-2012 representative of Sweden Loreen in the restaurant situated in Villa Petroleum yesterday.

The ambassador asked Loreen to sound the political statements and make calls concerning Azerbaijan during her performance at Eurovision stage. Opposition leaders also joined this request.

A group of foreign journalists also attended the meeting. The meeting was take place on the initiative of the Swedish Ambassador to Azerbaijan, one of the journalists told APA. Loreen came to the meeting place under instruction and accompaniment of Swedish Ambassador but he didn’t appear at the meeting room.

Swedish embassy has not started activity yet therefore Ambassador does not live in Azerbaijan permanently. He came to Azerbaijan regarding these arrangements. According to the information, at the meeting with human rights activists previous shooting of the meetings of “Sing for Democracy” and photos were demonstrated to Loreen and the singer was presented thesis to sound on Eurovision stage.

Although Opposition leaders confirmed that they have attended the meeting , head of the Musavat Party Isa Gambar noted “we didn’t make such a conversation.”

Ali Hasanov, Head of Department of Public and Political Issues of the Administration of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan also commented on the issue in his interview to APA. He assessed the fact as politicization.

“Unfortunately there are some attempts of politicization. The musical event cannot be politicized. The attempt of party representatives to establish such communications through the musical contest is always condemned and will be condemned. I don’t know details of this issue. The press reports show that the political party representatives had certain goals to establish communication with the Eurovision singers. We condemn this action if it has the purpose of politicization”, said Alo Hasanov.

As it became known later, Mikael Eriksson — Sweden ambassador to Azerbaijan — told that Loreen’s decision to meet with opposition was “her own choice.

“I didn’t participate and didn’t initiate this meeting,” said Mr. Ericsson.

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