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
In Turkey, a veteran pop star is facing scrutiny over song lyrics
The 67-year-old singer-songwriter, Sezen Aksu, is being accused of degrading religious values because one sentence in her song reads, "Give my regards to the ignorant Eve and Adam."
#helloTürkiye — Turkey's latest attempt to rebrand itself
The branding campaign follows a presidential circular signed on December 4, 2021, requiring the use of "Türkiye" instead of "Turkey" in all correspondence with other states, international institutions, and organizations.
Death of a student sparks debate on religious community-run housing in Turkey
With Kara's death, controversy over private religious community-run housing has emerged, with critics calling on the AKP to abolish these dormitories and turn them into public student housing.
In Georgia, six months after the tragic death of journalist, authorities blame drug overdose
The same day, authorities claimed Lashkarava died from drug overdose, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) added Laskharava's name to its observatory of killed journalists in 2021.
Erdoğan and the AKP's war with art and culture
In the years since the ascent to power, President Erdoğan's, ruling, Justice and Development Party (AKP) has slowly taken under its control much of the country's art and culture scene.
As Turkey rolls out its own COVID-19 vaccine, questions loom over its efficacy
In December 2021, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan approved the Turkovac vaccine for emergency use. Experts say there is an absence of scientific data and evidence proving the efficiency of the vaccine.
A year later, Boğaziçi University continues to resist
While the controversial government appointed rector Melih Bulu, has been removed, academics and students continue to protest on campus.
Istanbul Municipality is targeted by the Ministry of the Interior over questionable terrorism charges
The probe tis he latest spat between the ruling Justice and the Development Party (AKP) and the main opposition Republican People Party (CHP).
A pit bull attack on a four year old sparks debate about stray animals in Turkey
Asiye Ateş was brutally injured by two domesticated pit bulls, prompting the government to launch a campaign against stray street dogs.
Azerbaijan's controversial media law has grave consequences for media freedom and independence
Hailed by its proponents as the reform bill, its impact on the media freedom and independence in Azerbaijan is going to be extensive, critics of the law say.
Turkish finance minister wrecks economy ‘with a twinkle in his eye’
The Minister of Treasure and Finance was interviewed about the new rescue package introduced by the ruling Justice and Development Party that will protect lira deposits from further depreciation.
‘The Club,’ Netflix's new hit TV series, braves Turkey's troubled past
At the heart of the series are the Sephardic Jews but the new Netflix series, The Club also brings in the stories of Istanbul Armenians, and Greeks.
Turkish pop star angers the public with tone-deaf comments on current economic crisis
As people form long bread lines outside subsidized bread kiosks, an interview with a Turkish pop start sparks criticism online.
Turkey announces new steps to normalize ties with Armenia
During his address at the national parliament on December 13, Turkey's Foreign Minister Mevlut Çavuşoğlu said Turkey was ready to normalize ties with Armenia.
The Turkish Lira continues to lose value at a breakneck pace
Turkey's largest business group urged President Erdoğan's government to "return to rules of economic science."
Russian peacekeepers promise to oversee return of all Armenian prisoners held in Azerbaijan
While both parties pledged to return all prisoners as part of the ceasefire signed on November 9, 2020, the number of Armenian POWs still in Azerbaijan remains unknown.
Top human rights court finds that the Georgia government violated the European Convention on Human Rights
The European Court of Human Rights has found the Georgian government responsible for "unprecedented" violence against queer demonstrators in 2013. The court ordered the government to pay EUR 195,000 to the victims.
Turkish prosecutor general closes investigation into death of Azerbaijan’s ‘graffiti prisoner,’ Bayram Mammadov
Six months after Azerbaijani activist Bayram Mammadov's body was found by the Turkish coast guards, the prosecutor general's office has issued the final autopsy report.
Protest in support of jailed opposition activist in Baku turns violent
Scores of activists gathered in the capital Baku to protest the unlawful imprisonment of political prisoner Saleh Rustamov, demanding his immediate release. Rustamov himself is on hunger strike since November 6.
Armenia’s ex-president Serzh Sargsyan faces bribery charges
The ex-president charged with bribery, in what his lawyer describes as an an attempt to divert attention from the ongoing political and military crisis between Armenia and Azerbaijan.
Armenia and Azerbaijan pledge progress as leaders meet in Sochi
Commenting on the meeting, Russian president Vladimir Putin said the leaders reached agreements on some of the key issues and that the meeting was overall positive.
