Transparency Azerbaijan Advocacy and Legal Advice Centers (alac) Project Narrative report Quarter IV project Life
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2.11 Fund raising activities Attempts to raise funding for the ALAC continuation have been made. ALAC brief describing the project and its main achievements have been prepared and distributed among major potential donors – Eurasia Foundation, OSI –AF, OSCE. See Attachment No 6 ALAC brief III. Cooperation with state Authorities, NGO’s and media reprsentatives 3.1 Formalization of relations with ALAC In response to request of cooperation and proposal to sign a memorandum of understanding suggested at a number of meetings with various public institutions in the previous quarters, all respective agencies cooperate to a differing degree, but still refuse to sign anything on paper. The same as before, level of cooperation can be assessed as satisfactory with the following agencies: Anti-corruption Commission and Anti-Corruption Department of Prosecutor's Office, while letters requesting meeting were sent to Ministry of Internal Affairs, Ministry of Social Protection of Population, and etc. and there is no any reply yet. Ministry of Education is also quite cooperative. 3.2 Ganja Executive Committee There have been no problems with Ganja excom this Quarter. But Ganja Center’s sign board was stolen from the street. 3.3. State Social Protection Fund In the past State Social Protection Fund was slow to respond to complaints, but this Quarter this Fund picked up and responded to several letters, including one case positively solved (No 391/193). 3.4 Ministry of Health In the past Ministry of Health neglected ALAC complaints but this Quarter attended to one case positively (No 309/169). 3.5 Ministry of Economic Development There have been no complaints this Quarter concerning this Ministry, however its experts have been helpful with another TA project. 3.6 Ministry of Education Ministry of Education was less cooperative with ALAC in Quarter III, but now this Ministry is responsive and attends to ALAC cases efficiently: number of complaints have been solved to satisfaction of clients (No 293/159; No 379/190). Even if a customer is not satisfied with the outcome, diligent investigation of the complaint by the Ministry is commendable (case 308/162). Besides, TI-Az, alongside with several other NGOs, was invited for the 18 January presentation of the 2005 annual report of the Ministry’s activities to the general public. 3.7 Customs Committee In spite of no response to letters addressed in Quarter III to Customs Committee requesting a meeting and signing of MoU, this Committee is responsive to ALAC letters with citizens complaints. 3.8 Ministry of Internal Affairs In response to a letter from ALAC regarding a meeting, presentation of ALAC project and setting cooperation with Ministry of Internal Affairs, sent in the previous Quarter, ALAC was contacted in writing by first Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs, Mr. Vilayet Eyvazov. Mr. Imran Najafov from the MIA made few calls regarding meeting with head of Department of Organized Crime. However, the no meetings have been fixed. Since project start, there were several complaints from citizens, who asked for immediately help, in particular, presence of representatives of MIA and etc. at the bribe giving act. Complainants usually ask for marked banknotes or/either voice recorder machines, cameras and etc. to produce substantiated evidence. There was a special case concerning Ministry of Internal Affairs (please see case 459/197 from section 1.3 above), to which the Ministry failed to have responded so far. It is interesting to note that the Road Police Department of the Ministry is rather cooperative with ALAC. (case 218/128). 3.9 Other public agencies Ganja office staff met with Mubariz Nasibov, head of Samukh region, Nabi Agali settlement executive committee to give information on ALAC and negotiate organization of public campaigns in this region in next quarter. 3.10 Establishment of Anti-corruption network In response to numerous criticism from the civil society, including TI-Az, on under representation of NGOs in the state anti-corruption activities and following a number of interviews of TI-A Executive Director and ALAC project Coordinator regarding lack of coordination between NGO’s and Government Institutions implementing Anti-corruption projects, the State Commission on Combating Corruption initiated creation of anti-corruption network with participation of leading NGO’s, Media representatives, Members of Parliament and etc. On March 2, 2006 under imitative of the State Commission a presentation ceremony of “Information and Cooperation Network of NGO's acting in the field of combating corruption” took place at the International Press Center. During this event “Cooperation Memorandum on Establishment of Information and Cooperation Network of Leading NGO's in the Area of Combating Corruption” was signed, the Network's Statutes approved and broad information on objectives and future activities of the Network was provided to media. The Memorandum on Cooperation was signed by Transparency International Azerbaijan, Fund of Struggle against Corruption, Eurasia Lawyers Association, National Confederation of Entrepreneurs' Organizations, Constitution Researches Fund, Association of Traders and Producers, Fund for Assistance to Market Economy and Entrepreneurship, Coalition for Improving Transparency in Extractive Industry, Azerbaijan Young Lawyers Union, Association of Young Azerbaijani Friends of Europe, Citizens' Labor Rights Protection Center, Law and Development Public Union and Center for Effective Initiatives. Azerbaijan Republic’s Commission on Combating Corruption as well joined the Network and signed the Cooperation Memorandum. The members of the Commission on Combating Corruption underlined the importance of such a Network and qualified its establishment as an exemplary cooperation between state bodies and NGO's. The main aim of the Network is to improve information and experience exchange among NGO's, develop cooperation among NGO's, as well as among state bodies and NGO's. Organization of public awareness activities, dissemination of legislation and development of joint projects were defined as the main future activities of the Network, which will also cooperate with international organizations and conduct monitoring and public opinion surveys. In order to organize the Network's activities more efficiently and to strengthen the coordination among its members, members elected the Network's Coordinator. As a result of voting the president of Constitution Researches Fund Mr. Alimammad Nuriyev was elected Coordinator of the “Information and cooperation Network of NGO's acting in the field of combating corruption”. See Attachment No 7. 4.5 Cooperation with other NGOs and other agencies On January 23, 2006 ALAC project coordinator Mr. Fikrin Bektashi and ABA CEELI’s anti-corruption legal advisor Mr. Robert Eisman held a meeting with the members of Anti Corruption NGO Alliance. Purpose of the meeting was presentation of ALAC and ABA CEELI’s anti-corruption assistance to State and civil societies, setting cooperation. The meeting was attended by representatives of 28 members of the named alliance. Alliance members promised support ALAC and ABA CEELI in conducting meeting with IDP’s and refugees. On February 7, 2006 ALAC project coordinator Mr. Fikrin Bektashi and ABA CEELI’s anti-corruption legal advisor Mr. Robert Eisman held a meeting with volunteers of AYLU (Azerbaijan young lawyers union). Purposes of meting were presentation of ALAC and setting cooperation. Cooperation was set, volunteers would help ALAC in distribution of flyers. In addition, Mr. Eisman held a little training for volunteers using US experience. On 14 March, 2006 Mr. F.Bektashi attended a meeting arranged by ABA CEELI’s legal advisors Mrs. Margaret Tabler and Mr. Robert Eisman with legal clinics supported by ABA CEELI to negotiate ways that legal clinics could help ALAC. Meeting was attended by representatives of 3 legal clinics of Western University, Azerbaijan University and Khazar University. An agreement was reached to forward each other complaints out of mandate of the centers and ALAC as well. On 26th of January Director of ALAC Ganja office signed a document with the coordinator of the Ganja Oil Development Humanitarian Regional Center Elshan Suleymanov. Both organizations concluded to cooperate, arranged in February meeting with complainers, and provided them with legal advice free of charge. On 14-15th of February ALAC Ganja Office arranged meeting with some of NGOs in the office for Senior Rule of Law Advisor Nataliya S. Djurickovic and Senior Rule of Law Advisor, Legal Expert Angana Shah from USAID, Washington. The main purpose of that meeting was the idea of 3 years strategy in Azerbaijan and to conduct Rule of Law Assessment (including commercial law component). On 18 March 2006 Azerbaijan Lawyers Association held training at Transparency Azerbaijan Ganja Office on Advocacy & Legal Advice. The seminar was participated by t 26 participants from NGOs & Mass Media. At the end of the seminar, participants were provided with information about ALAC project and leaflets of ALAC. The seminar was led by Annagi Hajibeyli –president of ALA. Participating NGOs weres: Internews – Independent Journalistic Center; With Youth to the Future, Bridge to the Future, Women Rehabilitation Center, KTV- Local Television Channel Kapaz, Lider TV journalists. IV. Marketing, media and PR campaign PR and media campaign and related marketing activities were crucial elements in the Quarter IV, when over expenditure on this budget line ($1,475) exceeded the budgeted $900. Besides, ABA CELLI contributed substantially into marketing of the project. However, the ALAC staff had done their best within financial resources available to organize promotion of ALAC. 4.1 Promotional items Business cards for Baku staff (Mrs. Rena Safaraliyeva) were reprinted. 4.2 Spreading information on ALAC Out of 20,000 color flyers for ALAC funded by ABA 13,200 were distributed through newspapers as attachments on February 25, 2006 alongside with weekend circulation of “Echo” and “525ci qazet”. Attachment No 8 – new color flyers. Several grass roots NGOs from provinces – anti-corruption projects grant recipients from OSI (where Rena Safaralieva is on board of experts commission) were requested to distribute flyers in the provinces. Also see section 5.4 A substantial portion of flyers/information on ALAC was distributed at meetings with various NGOs and business community representatives.
. 4.3 Advertisement 4.3.1. TV running line ALAC project coordinator Mr. F. Bektashi after long discussions started running line announcement on ANS TV. Since January 9, 2006 the line runs 3-4 times a week in different programs targeting various audience, example, house wives in culinary programs and soap operas; males in Criminal Chronicles, educated population in the news program, etc. Content of announcement was changed, i.e. term “corruption” was changed by “bribery”. On March 1, 2006 ALAC project coordinator Mr. F. Bektashi signed a contract with Gutb TV, covering 6 regions of the North Caspian sea, regarding ALAC running line on alternate days. Content of announcement is same as on the ANS, i.e., it uses the word “bribery” instead of term “corruption”. Long discussions with Lenkoran TV (local TV, which covers only 7 regions at the southern coast of the Caspian Sea) did not result in any cooperation in the end. In Ganja ALAC ad run on local Alternative TV channel since December 15, 2005 to February 13, 2006. The contract was extended till March 13, 2006. Now Ganja ALAC has negotiations with Kapaz TV (local TV, which covers 16 regions of Ganja-Basar region) regarding start ad running line as of April, 2006. 4.3.2. Billboards Since January 27, 2006 1 billboard was placed at the entrance to Baku with funding support of ABA CEELI. Content of poster is same as before, i.e., it uses the word “Corruption”. Once planned big PR campaign using TV commercial and billboards begins; content and design would be changed (term of corruption would be changed to bribery). 4.3.3. Subways Subway posters were placed (total of 4), at the 20th of January, Academy of Sciences and 2 in 28 of May metro stations at the expense of additional funding by ABA. Posters were placed on end of Quarter III and are to continue in Quarter IV. 4.3.4. Bus Stops Using effectiveness of previous experience, ABA funding continued for 2 double sided billboards with advertisement at bus stops next to “28th of May” metro station and Puppets Theatre in Baku. 4.4. Project coverage 4.4.1. ALAC coverage
4.4.3. Coverage of TA activities indirectly related to ALAC Media coverage of Transparency Azerbaijan
4.4.5. Coverage of other related projects Media Coverage of Corporate Governance project implemented by Baku Stock Exchange and Transparency Azerbaijan, funding from British Embassy and Global Opportunities Fund
Media Coverage of Business Opinion Survey funded by Statoil
Attachment No 9 – media coverage. V. Public education This aim is partially being achieved via education of complainants and media coverage (see above), while mainly education is offered through Azadlyg radio program and training courses described below with businesses and legal NGOs being the main target group this Quarter. 5.1 Radio program Monthly Radio program on Anti-Corruption issues is a crucial element for ALAC success. RFE/RL Azeri desk (Azadlyg) Radio continues broadcast of weekly program, entitled “Transparency” (10-15 minutes each) and hosted by Maarif Chingiz oglu. Each program offers mini opinion survey by Jale Mutallimova in Baku streets. Since November 8, 2005, there were broadcasted total 21 Radio programs. It is broadcast every Tuesday, simultaneously at 20.00-21.00 at FM 104 and AM 1530 and 1296, repeated at 23.00-24.00 at AM 1530 and 1296, next day 08.00-09.00 AM 1530 and 1296, 14.00-15.00 at SW15145 and SW 15255 and at 18.00-19.00 at SW15145 and SW 15255. Each program includes short announcement of ALAC hotlines numbers. Program 9, January 3, 2006 Topic: collection of water user’ fee, how to install water meters, where flows money from paid parking Program experts: Mr. Isphandiyar Nusalov, “AbsheronSu”, Mr. Alimammad Nuriyev , Constitution Research Foundation Complainants: Alesger, citizen of Nizami District, Mr. Eyyub Huseynov, Chairman of Consumers Union Program 10, January 10, 2006 Topic: corruption in education Program experts: Mr.Rahim Agamaliyev, Head of HR Department of the Ministry of Education, Mrs. Zamina Aligizi, Head of Center of support to reforming of education sector, Mr. Mahammad Talibli, Head of the Center of Economic Innovations, Mrs. Malahat Murshudlu, Head of Free Teachers Union, Mr. Ilham Pirmammadov, Head of Executive Apparatus of the Ministry of Education Complainants: Mr. Ramin Hajili, Dalga Youth Movement Program 11, January 17, 2006 Topic: How to fight with corruption? Program experts: Mr.Rahim Agamaliyev, Head of HR Department of the Ministry of Education, Mr. Mubariz Akhmadov, Head of Information-analytical department of General Prosecutor’s Office, Mrs. Bettina Meyer, Transparency International, Program manager, Mr. Ilham Pirmammadov, Head of Executive Apparatus of the Ministry of Education, Mrs. Irada Javadova, Head of Human rights and Education NGO,
Topic: Issuance of orders for multi storey constructions Program experts: Mr. Azer Aslanov, Head of the Department of Ministry of Ecology, Mr. Rovshan Agayev, Independent expert, Mr. Jamil Rahimov, Focal point for Azizbekov District of the Land Committee Complainants: Mr. Akif Mammadov, citizen of Narimanov District Program 13, January 31, 2006 Topic: Tenders, how tenders held in Azerbaijan Program experts: State procurement committee, Mr. Ali Alirzayev, Deputy Head of Economic policy commission of the Parliament, Mr. Gubad Ibadoglu, Head editor of “Expert” magazine, Complainants: Mr. Arif Hasanov, Director of “Neon” firm, Mr. Rahim Abiyev, Director of “Kristal” company, Mr. Hafiz Babayev, Economic expert of “Turan” Information Agency Program 14, February 7, 2006 Topic: Customs’ fees for car importation Experts: Head of General Department of Customs Committee, Mr. Alekber Mammadov, Head of Enterpreneurs Confederation, Mr. Alimamed Nuriyev, Head of Constitutional Research NGO, Mr. Siyavush Ismaylov, Head of Independent Professional Unions Complainants: Mr. Vagif Safarov, recently imported car from Germany , Mr. Sanan Karimli, imported car from Germany, Mr. Nuraddin Mammadov importing cars from Russia Program 15, February 14, 2006 Topic: Would target social allowances reach their addresses? Could state protect regulations from authority’s abuse of power? Experts: Mr. Chingiz Taghizadeh, Head of Department of Trade Unions Confederation, Mrs. Vafa Mutalimova, Head of Targeted Social Protection Department of the Ministry of Social Protection Independent experts: Mr.Rovshan Agayev, Head of Economic Researches Center, Mr. Rasim Huseynov, Economic expert of “Turan” Information Agency Program 16, February 21, 2006 Topic: Issuance of illegal military certificates, avoiding of military services by citizens and ways to solve this problem Experts: Mrs. Antiga Gonagova, Head of Information Department of General Prosecutors’ Office, Mr. Ilgar Veliyev, Expert of Information department of Ministry of Defence, Independent experts: Mr. Alakbar Mammadov, Civil Monitoring on Militaries, Mr. Vugar Khasayev, Lawyer
Topic: Unauthorized construction next to railway Experts: Mr. Nadir Azmamadov, Head of Information Department of State Railway Department, Mr. Azer Huseynov, Deputy Head of Nasimi district Municipality Independent expert: Mr. Vahid Movsumov, Deputy Head of Corruption Researches Fund NGO, Mr.Rovshan Agayev, Head of Economic Researches Center Complainants: Mr. Vahid Aliyev, lives next to Fioletov’s railway station, Vahid Maharramov, Mr. Alibala Mammadov
Topic: Amnesty of illegal capital and its influence on the Azerbaijan economy Expert: Mr. Fazail Agamali, Motherland Party, Member of Parliament, Mr. Natig Akhmadov, Deputy Minister of Taxes, Mr. Ziyad Samedzadeh, Head of Economic Policy Commission of the Parliament, Independent expert: Mr. Nazirmammad Kazimov, lawyer of Fund on Fight Against Corruption, Mr. Parviz Heydarov, independent expert, Mrs. Rena Safaraliyeva, Transparency Azerbaijan Program 19, March 14, 2006 Topic: Harassment of citizens by police Complainants: Mr. Nihat Kaya, Germany, Expert: Mr. Arastun Majidov, Head of department of Traffic Police Department Topic: Case in the Airport Complainant: on behalf on an unnamed woman Mrs. Rena Safaraliyeva, Transparency Azerbaijan Experts: Mr. Orkhan Abdulov, policeman of Transport Police Department, Mr. Elshan Zahidov, Information department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Elshan Zahidov, Ombudsman Office (Human rights commissioner), Independent expert: Mrs. Mehriban Zeynalova, “Tamiz Dunya” Center, Mr. Mahmud Hajiyev, lawyer Program 20, March 21, 2006 Topic: Why Turkish students refuse study in Azerbaijan Expert: Mr. Salahaddin Dikman, Turkish Embassy, Mrs. Malahat Hasanova, Member of Parliament, Mr. Bayram Huseynzadeh, Head of Information Department of the Ministry of Education Independent expert: Mr. Ramin Hajili, “Dalga” Youth Movement, Mr. Bakhtiyar Hajiyev, “No Bribery in Education” The Program No 20, broadcasted on March 21, 2006 was appreciated by Radio Liberty Head Quarter in Prague and was asked from Prague for rebroadcast on March 28, 2006. Please see Attachment No 10 - CD with the programs 5.2. Business training projects of Transparency Azerbaijan Corporate Governance project (implemented jointly by TA and Baku Stock Exchange), being outside of ALAC, is mentioned because one of the components thereof – training for minority rights shareholders has a strong business ethics and anti-corruption component. Business ethics training for Nurgun Holding also has a strong anti-corruption component.
Transparency Azerbaijan was involved in a research project on link between Conflicts and Corruption in the South Caucasus funded by International Alert. On 12 March TA arranged expert discussion of the research results with Azerbaijan experts. The conclusions assist TA experts to formulate general recommendations for the government. Once finalized, the publication will be used for general public education via media. Transparency Azerbaijan assigned Sorgu firm to conduct business opinion survey on corruption among 200 business representatives. Each interviewed was informed of TA and ALAC and given a flyer. Results are currently being processed. 5.4. Other training programs under ALAC On 14th of January Transparency Azerbaijan Ganja office arranged seminar for the university students relating ALAC project and State Law about Anticorruption. On 21st of February ALAC Ganja Office held seminar for the students of Young Leaders School on the Constitution of Azerbaijan Republic. 5.5 Face-to-face education In Ganja volunteers distributed flyers in the streets and all recipients had been provided with information about corruption & ALAC project individually. Also Ganja volunteers hanged ALAC announcements (expanded flyers design) on the lighting pillars and bus stops. This idea seems to work, therefore in the next quarter this experience will be extrapolated in Baku under support of organizations of volunteers. On 24 of March a group of volunteers from ALAC Ganja distributed leaflets about the project to the forced migrants & refugees who are temporarily living in a hostel of Ganja State Humanitarian College. Complied by Rena Safaralieva, Project director
Baku ALAC coordinator Nazim Guliev, Baku ALAC Lawyer With inputs from Sevinj Mammadova, Ganja ALAC lawyer 
1 Received from Corruption and Society Journal and anonymous calls 2 Out of mandate Directory: alac alac -> Mating Systems in Mammals vs Sexual Dimorphism and Mating System alac -> *Goats cheese salad, black olives, garlic croutons and cherry tomatoes 50 Download 474.14 Kb. Share with your friends:
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