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In recent years, the government of Azerbaijan has invested heavily in prestigious international events to burnish its image, including opening its doors to high-profile international sporting events, the new report of the human rights organization Amnesty International reads. 

It is noted that soon the Baku Grand Prix will take place, however, the country remains closed to human rights scrutiny. International human rights monitors were denied access to, and deported from, the country. At home, government critics continue to risk imprisonment on fabricated charges and expose their relatives to reprisals. 

Despite a round of releases of high profile political prisoners earlier this year, they remain effectively muzzled – their bank accounts frozen and their offices are sealed. New detainees – activists and oppositionists – have taken their places in Azerbaijan’s jails. Azerbaijan’s civil society remains largely paralyzed following the closure of its most prominent NGOs and the arrest and release of many of their leaders.

For the first time in history, Baku will host the European Grand Prix. Commentators view the event as Azerbaijan’s attempt to introduce itself from the most attractive side, BBC Russian Service reports. 

According to the article, the Formula 1 managers officially aimed at entering into new, fast growing markets. Many think that they just want to gain money, and in this case, not less than $40 million. Moreover, it is emphasized that Azerbaijan is not the first country, the government of which is accused of human rights violations and authoritarianism, chosen for the Formula 1 race.
Meanwhile, Motorsport.com reports that the world champion Lewis Hamilton was not pleased with the Baku city circuit. “Monaco is the street circuit. And they don't make them like that. I don't why they don't, but why don't they just make street circuits like they used to? I don't understand,” the sportsman stated. http://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/hamilton-not-won-over-by-baku-motorway-783002/
Azerbaijani website Minval.az reports that Razi Nurullayev, the Deputy-Chairperson for Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan Popular Front Party (APFP), spoke out against hosting this kind of events in conditions when it brings inconveniences for the Azerbaijani citizens and “frustrates them.”
According to him, the government took the responsibility of holding those events for 10 years, that is why speaking out against those competitions will not change anything.

In his turn, sports journalist Flavio Vanetti writes on the website of the Italian Corriere della Sera newspaper that holding Formula 1 in Azerbaijan raises many doubts. The race, which is taking place in Azerbaijan for the first time, is called European Grand Prix. However, the author points out that Azerbaijan is situated in Asia, or more precisely, in Transcaucasia. Besides, Azerbaijan has no experience in holding car races. However, the author notes that according to Formula 1 president Bernie Ecclestone’s logic, money is the mantra in commerce, and oil-rich Azerbaijan is an attractive country from that point of view. 

Meanwhile, the Caucasian Knot reports that many citizens of the Azerbaijani capital are dissatisfied with the inconveniences caused by the organization of Formula 1. The authorities emphasize the importance of the competitions for the country’s image and for attracting foreign tourists, however, the critics doubt the economic appropriateness of the event.

Despite the authorities’ assurance that the races will positively affect the country’s budget, economic expert and executive secretary of REAL movement, NatigJafarli, expressed doubt over the economic appropriateness of spending money on Formula 1.

“When the authorities pompously held the Eurovision Song Contest 2012 and then the European Games, they also said that the costs are targeted on the country’s image and attracting tourists. However, there was no significant growth. For attracting tourists, it is necessary to revoke visas, as the neighboring Georgia did. For attracting tourists, it is necessary to care for the country’s image and do not let the international media mention Azerbaijan in the context of human rights violations and arrests of dissidents. It is necessary to stop the repression of freedom and release the political prisoners,” Jafarli noted.

According to him, it would be better to use the money spent on such events for the country’s greater benefit. “With those resources, we could give higher education to tens of thousands of Azerbaijanis abroad. Upon returning to the country, they could become good doctors, teachers, and engineers,” Jafarli said.

In his opinion, only Formula 1 Management and Baku fashionable hotels, as well as construction and service companies will have benefit from the races.

Meanwhile, The Telegraph writes that Bernie Ecclestone insists Formula 1 has a clear conscience over its inaugural race in Azerbaijan, despite criticism of the country’s human rights record.

It is noted in the material that human rights activists said before this race they feared Ecclestone would continue making “unhelpful” comments. It is emphasized that last year F1 published a “Statement of Commitment to Respect for Human Rights” but this has not affected the race in Baku.

Besides, a 2015 report by Human Rights Watch claimed that there had been a “dramatic deterioration in its already poor rights record” in Azerbaijan. It is also reminded that another human rights organization, Amnesty International, earlier claimed that this race takes place among “a backdrop of repression of government critics, including journalists, lawyers, opposition and youth activists.”

Kerry Moscogiuri, Director of Campaigns at Amnesty International UK, called in leading figures in Formula 1 to put pressure on the Azerbaijani authorities with the aim of improving the human rights situation, but Ecclestone’s comments indicate that will not be forthcoming.
                
“Azerbaijan has courted big international sports events to improve its image abroad, and the Grand Prix is no different. While the world’s fastest drivers take to the streets of Baku in this spectacle of speed, there are many who won’t be able to enjoy the show,” Moscogiuri said. “We would like to see them publicly urge President Ilham Aliyev to end this crackdown and free all prisoners of conscience.”