The CNIS held its next in the series of “Azerbaijan Democratic Republic ( 1918-1920)  Round Tables” conference on the 8th of February in Baku. The round table was devoted to the political parties and elections and their characteristics in the oil rich post-Soviet states. Development of the democratic institutions in the post-Soviet oil rich states of the Caspian region faces additional to the common soviet legacies structural obstacles. These characteristics include first of all ruling elite’s monopoly over oil and gas resources, which in the absence of the real mechanisms of the public...


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FB Digest@VoxPOPULI   “These elections took place in a restrictive political and legal environment, the consequence of which was a lack of political pluralism coupled with the subdued and low-key campaign, all of which undermined the electoral process...” (Lack of) Human Rights and Freedoms Lawyer Rufat Safarov stated that Sweden's Ambassador to Azerbaijan, Mr. Tobias Lorentzson, met with the family of prisoner of conscience Famil Khalilov. Diplomats from the embassies of Latvia and Estonia in Azerbaijan also attended the meeting. First-degree disabled person Famil Khalilov was deported...


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FB Digest@VoxPOPULI   “As long as the "iron fist" hovers like a nightmare over the Azerbaijani people, things could get even worse...” (Lack of) Human Rights and Freedoms Jailed academician Fazil Gasimov’s brother Nazim Gasimov shared concerning news about the health condition of his brother. According to him, Fazil Gasimov Fazil Gasimov, who has been on a hunger strike for several weeks in protest of his wrongful arrest, is now unable to walk or speak due to severe weight loss. Nazim Gasimov: “I went to visit Fazil. Since Fazil was too weak to come to the meeting, they took...


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FB Digest@VoxPOPULI   “The government is aware of the growing discontent, particularly socio-economic grievances, official corruption, and lawlessness, but is unable to address them or make any substantial improvements...” (Lack of) Human Rights and Freedoms "The high-ranking officials of the detention center administer torture under the 'No to Torture!' slogans posted on the walls by the Ombudsman”, wrote political prisoner Ulvi Hasanli. Hasanli revealed shocking facts about the torture in Azerbaijani prisons. Currently jailed, journalist Ulvi Hasanli is the head of AbzasMedia....


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FB Digest@VoxPOPULI   “You are only needed by this government to fight, die, and become disabled in the war or to work in their gardens, banks and supermarkets...” (Lack of) Human Rights and Freedoms Afgan Sadigov, the head of the "Azel" TV website, was not allowed to leave Georgia. On July 17, journalist Afgan Sadigov was prevented from traveling from Tbilisi to Ankara. He was detained at border-passport control at the airport and sent back. Sadigov himself reported this to the Turan agency. According to Sadigov, he was told that he could not travel to any country other than...


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