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
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.
Azerbaijan cancels weddings during COP29
Several wedding halls confirmed that they were told to decline bookings before and during COP29 (Nov 8–22) for the comfort of the incoming international guests and to avoid traffic jams.
Turkey's bill on stray dogs is not really about the safety of the streets
it is easier to address visible, attention-drawing issues such as stray dogs, rather than more subtle, insidious issues such as workplace safety and gender-based violence.
In Azerbaijan it isn't just the president for life, but the parliament too
Regardless of whether old faces will remain in the parliament, or will be replaced by their children, the upcoming snap parliamentary vote will have little impact on the country's future.
Hand gesture during Euro match leads to a diplomatic row in Turkey
After a Turkish football player made a controversial, ultranationalist gesture during a match, Turkey's ambassador to Germany was summoned to the Foreign Office, launching something of a diplomatic row.
Azerbaijan ahead of COP29: Price hikes and construction works
Some experts estimate the indirect expenses for COP29 to exceed 1billionUSD, including expenditures on infrastructure, hotel, transport, logistics, communication, security, and other expenses.
In Turkey, anti-immigrant sentiments are on the rise once again
The violence erupted merely two weeks into President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Syrian President Bashar al-Assad expressing interest in resuming talks after Turkey severed its ties in 2011.
A year after environmental protests rocked Azerbaijan's village of Soyudlu, it is business as usual
A year since the protest, it seems the company, the ministry, and the government of Azerbaijan are back to business as usual, with no new monitoring reports or investigations.
In Georgia, a series of legal amendments are putting the country's EU aspirations on hold
A foreign agent bill, a ban on gender election quotas, and most recently an LGBTQ+ propaganda bill are just the latest legal amendments proposed by the ruling Georgian Dream party.
