FB Digest@VoxPOPULI   “Keeping the country closed, restricting freedoms, imposing limitations on people's movements, and suppressing constitutional rights and freedom of assembly under the pretext of a special quarantine regime due to COVID-19 is a political decision…” (Lack of) Human Rights and Freedoms The employees of Toplum TV issued a statement announcing their intention to continue their activities despite recent arrests. Journalists of Toplum TV, led by editor-in-chief Khadija Ismayil, stated, "We will protect freedom of speech and provide a platform for those who have...


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FB Digest@VoxPOPULI   “Engaging in opposition politics and independent journalism in the so-called Republic of Azerbaijan is considered a crime. These two facts alone are sufficient to reveal the authoritarian, and even increasingly totalitarian, nature of the state…” (Lack of) Human Rights and Freedoms Alasgar Mammadli, the co-founder of Toplum TV, was apprehended by individuals donning black masks on March 8. Reports indicate that the detention occurred after he left a medical examination, with the incident captured on video. The masked individuals allegedly took Mammadli...


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    FB Digest@VoxPOPULI   “Every gram of gold that the Aliyevs extracted from the Soyudlu gold mines (and others) carries with it a scent of blood.” (Lack of ) Human Rights and Freedoms Since the protests against the illegal activities of the gold mining company in Soyudlu village erupted, dozens of people have been arrested. Former political prisoner Giyas Ibrahim and an activist from the NIDA civil movement Elmir Abbas, are among those who were administratively arrested for 30 and 20 days, respectively. To protest the mistreatment and police brutality witnessed...


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    FB Digest@VoxPOPULI   “Azerbaijani government should prevent further escalation of the tensions in the region and work closely with the West to continue peace negotiations...”                                    (Lack of) Human Rights and Liberties Member of the Azerbaijan Popular Front Party (APFP) Gulnara Rahimova was sentenced to community service as a result of the court order. Rahimova denied the accusations and said that she was doing her job documenting the illegal activities of the police. Rahimova’s Facebook post: “Today, I was summoned...


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    FB Digest@VoxPOPULI   “Russia plans to expand Russian-language education in Azerbaijan and strengthen the Russian imperial policy in the region..” (Lack of) Human Rights and Liberties One of the six people detained shortly after being deported from Germany to Azerbaijan, activist Malik Rzayev was sentenced to seven years in prison on drug charges by the verdict of the Sumgayit Court of Grave Crimes. According to the court decision, drugs were found in Rzayev's pocket when he was detained. Rzayev denied the allegation and said that he was arrested for his severe...


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