2010 Annual Report

2010 Grantee Spotlight

OL!

2010 was a challenging year for NED grantee OL! Despite the non-political nature of its popular and well-attended programs for young people, who are encouraged “to be” (“ol”) more than a number, the Azerbaijani government took offense at a gentle video satire, and key members of OL! leadership spent most of the year in jail.

Ironically, the offending video was only tangentially related to OL!'s work in promoting democratic values in Azerbaijan. OL! conducts numerous roundtable discussions and seminars, and promotes civil society engagement through a wide range of media, including YouTube videos and a Facebook group; news and discussions are posted on the OL! website and blog.

But the video satire got the most attention from the government. The YouTube video is of a mock press conference held by donkey (Adnan Hajizada, an OL! founder, in costume) which makes fun of a government debacle involving wildly overpriced donkeys imported from the EU. In the “press conference,” a “German” donkey describes his luxurious journey and warm welcome to the fabulous country of Azerbaijan. When a “journalist” questions the costs involved, the star proclaims that he is a “top-ranked donkey” and proves it by playing a violin for the amazed onlookers.

Soon after the donkey satire went online, Hajizada and his co-producer Emin Milli were assaulted in a crowded Baku café. When the two reported the incident to the police the same night, they were themselves arrested and charged with hooliganism — despite numerous witnesses to the contrary and a confession by their assailants.

A few weeks later, the court held a closed session (banning even journalists and diplomats) and found Hajizada and Milli guilty. Hajizada received a sentence of 24 months, while Milli received 30 months. The verdict was condemned around the world, and Amnesty International designated Hajizada and Milli as prisoners of conscience. Hajizada’s father (Hicmet Hajizada, also a pro-democracy activist) and OL! launched a campaign for their release with the slogan, “One World, One Dream, Free Donkey,” which received international attention. In November 2010, Azerbaijani courts reversed course and released the two men.

OL!’s work continues, now with the benefit of the publicity created by government disapproval. 2010 saw the growth of its Free Thought University (FTU), launched with NED support near the end of 2009. Lectures, seminars and discussion groups focus on Human Rights, Democracy, Global Politics, Economics, Social Studies, Philosophy and Media. The FTU has reached nearly a thousand young people and videos and podcasts are posted on the FTU website, a service that established universities in the region have yet to provide, allowing the FTU to reach an even wider audience.

With their release from prison, Hajizada and Milli are optimistic they can continue to engage their peers with their mission to creatively encourage young Azerbaijanis to pursue social engagement and critical thinking, and “to be” (“ol”) more than a number.

Read the Democracy Story on this grantee, "Azerbaijan: Being More Than a Number." :: MORE