Arzu Geybullayeva is Azerbaijani columnist and writer, with special focus in digital authoritarianism and its implications on human rights and press freedom in Azerbaijan. Arzu has written for Al Jazeera, Eurasianet, Foreign Policy Democracy Lab, CODA, Open Democracy, Radio Free Europe, and CNN International. She is a regular contributor at IWPR, Osservatorio Balcani e Caucaso and Global Voices. In 2019, Arzu launched Azerbaijan Internet Watch, a platform that documents, and monitors information controls in Azerbaijan. Arzu has contributed to GV since May 2010.
Latest posts by Arzu Geybullayeva
Georgian police crack down on pro-EU demonstrators after halting EU membership bid ‘until 2028’
Georgian riot police in Tbilisi have violently cracked down on a pro-EU demonstration sparked by Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze’s earlier announcement that Georgia was halting its EU membership bid “until 2028.”
In Turkey, women's march marked with violence, arrests as well as threats of deportations
As in previous years, bans on public gatherings, roadblocks, heavy police presence and subsequent violence did not go unnoticed.
The COP29 is over, and so is the spotlight on Azerbaijan
What's next for the country's civil society now that COP29 is over and the spotlight has shifted?
Torture, abuse, and degredation are rampant in Azerbaijani prisons
In Azerbaijani prisons, torture and ill-treatment are common. But for queer inmates, the persecution is much worse. The existing legislation offers no legal remedies.
The Azerbaijani government throws support behind Georgian Dream Party amid election inconsistencies
While the opposition and President of Georgia refused to accept election results, which showed ruling Georgian Dream winning with 54 percent, due to electoral inconsistencies, Azerbaijan rushed to congratulate the ruling government.
In Azerbaijan, the government takes treason seriously — or does it?
What constitutes treason according to local legislation and is it being used fairly in Azerbaijan? The answer is in the details of the legislation and its implementation according to the lawyers.
Turkey rocked by a terrorist attack
The attack came a day after Devlet Bahçeli, the leader of an ultra-right Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) called to restart peace talks with the outlawed Kurdistan Worker's Party (PKK).
Violence against women is met with impunity in Turkey
According to We Will Stop Femicides, 315 women were killed by men, and 248 women were found dead in suspicious circumstances in 2023 in Turkey. This year alone, 299 women were killed according to another platform.
Armenia's path out of Russia's orbit
A series of decisions taken by the government of Armenia in recent years signals the country moving further out of Russia's orbit of influence.
Why do girls and women keep dying in Turkey?
A confession by one of the detained village residents brought further horror to a story that is all too familiar in a country that withdrew from Istanbul Convention in 2021
Georgian lawmakers inch closer to final approval of anti-LGBTQ+ law
Critics have pointed out that laws like the one adopted by Russia in 2013 to “protect children from information advocating a denial of traditional family values” have also increased hate crimes.
Georgian Dream Party vows to ban opposition if they win parliamentary majority
Speaking at the opening of the new head quarters of the ruling party, it's founder, Bidzina Ivanishvili threatened legal sanctions against opposition figures following the vote.
The election dance in Azerbaijan: Carousel voting and ballot stuffing
Independent election observers and journalists documented voter violations throughout the day, proving that Azerbaijan's most recent elections were staged just like elections in the past.
Despite promises, Azerbaijani people continue to face water shortages
Meanwhile, as experts voice concerns over the state’s failure to address the country’s water shortage problem, it is the local population and village residents who are paying a heavy price.
Azerbaijan clears out critics ahead of COP29
Azerbaijan has had one of the lowest international rankings on citizens’ rights and freedoms. Even so, Azerbaijani President Aliyev has insisted persecutions against civil society are justified.
Expectations ahead of parliamentary election in Azerbaijan are grim: Interview with an independent candidate
The last parliamentary election took place in 2020, with reports of irregularities and electoral violations. It is hard to say this election will be any different.
In Turkey, a street interview lands a citizen in jail
“Insulting the president,” and “inciting hatred and hostility among the public,” are both common charges leveled against government critics in Turkey.
Azerbaijan: Continued arrests and allegations of mass torture ahead of COP29
The forms of ill-treatment and torture documented by the committee — slaps, punches, kicks and truncheon or wooden stick blows to the person’s head and/or body — are widespread.
Turkey blocks access to Instagram
According to the most recent Internet Censorship report produced by the Free Web Turkey platform, in total, “access to 219,059 URLs, including 197,907 domain names were blocked in Turkey in 2023.”
Turkey and Armenia resume talks, marking historic diplomatic breakthrough
Turkey closed its border with Armenia in 1993 during the first Karabakh war in a show of solidarity with its long-time ally Azerbaijan. Since then, ties between Turkey and Armenia have remained strained.
Erdoğan threatens to intervene in Israel, though pundits call it an empty threat
Since October 2023, Turkey went from trying to mediate between Israel and Hamas to recalling its ambassador to Tel Aviv and announcing total restrictions on all trade with Israel until the war on Gaza ends.
