YOUTHS PROTEST FLOWER DAY IN AZERBAIJAN

Some youths protested at various spots where the “Flower day” holiday was been celebrated mainly at “Sahil bagi” and the central Boulevard of the capital city -Baku. The 10^th of May has been marked annually as flower day in Azerbaijan and has been declared as a national holiday. Coincidentally, the 10^th of May is also a day that marks the birthday of the father of the president –Ilham Aliyev. His father Heydar Aliyev was the past leader of the nation.

The youths who protested were questioning the reason for the celebration when nothing tangible has been achieved in the investigation of the shooting at the Oil Academy that claimed lots of innocent lives. The protest is the first of its kind in modern Azerbaijan.

Most of the protesters were arrested at the Heydar Aliyev Park, in Baku which is located just opposite the Azerbaijan Central Bank. The statue of Heydar Aliyev is boldly visible to any onlooker around the area. The protesters had comprised of both boys and girls, and it’s been reported that about 15 – 20 persons were arrested.

Azerbaijan has over the years experienced a relatively calmness with the popularity of the president very high among the citizens. The country is experiencing a relative prosperity from the revenue derived from the sales of its abundant Oil and Gas resources. To the credit of the government, a lot of developments have been achieved during the period of the administration. This is why any unrest that will agitate the people will easily be clamped down by the security personnel.

LESSONS TO BE LEARNT FROM SHOOTING AT THE AZERBAIJAN OIL ACADEMY

On the 30th of April, 2009, the entire Azerbaijan was thrown into turmoil as the population heard the news of shootings at the State Oil Academy. The incident had occurred in the early hours of Thursday between the periods of 9 – 10am. Students were already seated for their early morning classes when the horrified incidents took place. Until now there is no definite story as to what happened. The killer is known. The most popular story has it that the killer shoot himself after trigger happily killing dozens of others, both staff and students.

As we sympathize with the families of those who have lost their love ones, it is wise to put some questions in perspective. It could be anybody, but why is there no concrete news as to what actually happened? Why is there still no defined motive for the killings? Who were those involved? And to what extent has investigations revealed other “assumed” accomplice?

The first story that was popularized just immediately after the news broke out was that the killer was from African descent. In as much as it has already been proven to be false, but why did the media not verify a fact before reporting? I have followed this same incident from BBC, Euronews and CNN, but none of these International news agencies reported the Azerbaijan press version. The scenario simple portrays the degree of professionalism of some in the Azerbaijan news reporters, obviously low. A sensitive issue as that should be thoroughly verified as facts before it is put in the public domain. The reporters of the media organization that broke the false news should burry its head in shame. Until now, they haven’t even repudiate or put out an open apology for the false information. Let us hope that they learn a lesson though and next time, they think through to ensure that only facts are put into the public domain.

It is also shameful that a university as popular and as famous as the Oil Academy has no installed surveillance camera in and around the premises. Because based on eye witness account, there were strange persons who left the scene unidentified but these information can’t be followed through in the absence of actual video evidence to back the eye witness claims. The advantage of technology is to simplifier life and life issues, so it should be sufficiently used.

It is hoped the government learns from the incident. High security measures are to be put in place at the university premises. Not just universities, but in all public institutions and organizations.