Azerbaijan: Germany caught in Eurovision crossfire

Baku Azerbaijan

The Eurovision Song Contest has been engulfed in a row between this year’s host Azerbaijan and Germany. Stung by criticism of its human rights, Azerbaijan has portrayed Frankfurt as a seedy city rife with homelessness, drug-use and prostitution.

Relations have cooled between the two countries after criticism began appearing in German newspapers two months ago, calling on musicians and viewers to boycott the event in Baku.

Last year's hosts Germany have played an important role in preparations for the show, which will be watched by between 115 million and 120 million people worldwide. "Brainpool" comedian Stefan Raab’s Cologne-based firm will produce the TV show, and German, Swiss and Austrian construction firms have helped build the new "Crystal Hall" venue in record time.

A scandal broke when Human Rights Watch claimed up to 20,000 people were forced out of their homes when they were demolished to make way for the venue.  And Amnesty International recently ramped up the pressure on Azerbaijan, demanding the release of all non-violent political prisoners in a social media campaign.

In response Azerbaijani state media has launched a propaganda war against its critics – including the German government's human rights representative Markus Löning, who has repeatedly criticized Azerbaijan's poor record on press freedom. While accompanying German foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle on a recent visit to the country, Löning was denounced by the media as a drunkard who had had sex with a local civil rights activist, the Frankfurter Rundschau noted.

Azerbaijan - which always ranks poorly on world press freedom, corruption and democracy indices - is hoping Eurovision will boost its image abroad, pulling out all the stops to promote itself.

For more: Germany caught in Eurovision crossfire - The Local