The beginning of year 2011 was marked by the crisis of the last bastion of non-democratic regimes – the only geographical region, which by the words of Larry Diamond, historically had never experienced  democracy . The fall or crisis of  autocratic and hybrid regimes of the North Africa raised many questions and dilemmas, which international community and the EU will face from now on. The significance of timing of the external reaction to the quickly and dramatically developing events in Libya, has stressed necessity of  preparedness of the EU to the possible  similar  cases In the future....


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      FB Digest@VoxPOPULI   “Countless murders, ruined lives, torture of thousands of innocent people, imprisonment of thousands of people, sacrificing the independence of a country of millions of people to the interests of one person will not go unpunished.” The War between Ukraine and Russia While intense fighting continues in Ukraine, the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe has stated that Russia, which conducts military operations against Ukraine, has lost its right of representation. On Friday, 42 of the 47 members of the Council of Europe...


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FB Digest@VoxPOPULI   “Citizens of other countries are still able to enter Azerbaijan via land borders, meaning that the closure only applies to Azerbaijani citizens, which violates the country’s Constitution.” (Lack of) Human Rights and Freedoms On September 25, the trial of human rights activist Bakhtiyar Hajiyev continued at the Baku Court of Grave Crimes. Bakhtiyar Hajiyev filed a motion stating that he does not wish to participate in the upcoming court hearings due to reasons such as the "artificial prolongation of the process" and the "rejection of all motions." Hajiyev...


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FB Digest@VoxPOPULI   “Azerbaijan positioning itself as peacemaker but is accused of ethnic cleansing and imprisoning opponents...” (Lack of) Human Rights and Freedoms Former MP and businessman Nazim Baydamirli is facing a 9-year prison sentence. On September 16, the prosecutor made this request at the Baku Court of Grave Crimes, claiming that the former MP's demand for money through blackmail had been proven in court. However, Baydamirli disagrees. Before the prosecutor's statement—when the judge suggested concluding the investigation—he objected, stating that there were...


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FB Digest@VoxPOPULI   “Aliyev relies on non-democratic regimes to protect his autocratic rule from the "dangerous" concepts of democracy, free elections, and popular sovereignty that might come from the United States and the European Union...” (Lack of) Human Rights and Freedoms The Council of Europe's Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT) issued an official statement on July 3 regarding Azerbaijan. The Committee reports ongoing lack of cooperation from the Azerbaijani authorities. "The exceptional decision to issue an official statement stems from Azerbaijan's persistent...


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