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
Winning a million Lira won't get you far in today's Turkey, but its worth celebrating anyway
The amount may have meant a lot in 2011 when the show first premiered on Turkish television, but in 2023, the amount isn't likely to go too far.
The president of Georgia may be facing impeachment, but she has no intention of leaving
President of Georgia, said in an address to the nation, she had no intention of resigning in response to ruling Georgian Dream party campaign to impeach the President.
Azerbaijan continues to keep its land borders closed, citing COVID-19 as a concern
Three years on, while the world, including Azerbaijan, lifted most, if not all, pandemic-related restrictions, Azerbaijan continues to keep its land borders closed for passenger traffic, citing the pandemic as a threat.
US band The Killers had a rough crash-course in Georgian politics
The American band, The Killers, was booed off the stage during their much-anticipated concert Georgia after they invited a Russian drummer to join them onstage.
In Azerbaijan, couriers are facing intimidation and arrests at the hands of the state
The recent wave of arrests and persecution are linked to the changes adopted to Article 27 of the Law on Traffic in December 2022.
These women are fighting back on the continued destruction of Turkey's Akbelen forest
Some 300 organizations have rallied behind the residents' call to stop any mining activities and deforestation in the area in a statement issued on July 28.
In Turkey, even university graduations are political
Interventions into the education landscape began subtly at first, but over the years, they were replaced with efforts to reform the curriculum along more religious lines and deeper control mechanisms.
In Turkey, when forests are not on fire, they are being destroyed by greedy men in suits
The ruling government lacks any green vision, prioritizes the economy at the expense of the environment, and allows greedy companies to fill in their coffers at the expense of citizens.
Turkey has a long road ahead with renewed EU bid
Pundits say, there is a long road ahead. Reforming the rule of law, adhering to democratic principles, ensuring equal rights are just some of the pressing requirements.
In Turkey, conservatives go after a queer volleyball star
Divisions between between Turkey's conservatives and secularists are worsening. The latest showdown occurred after conservatives attacked a queer volleyball player after her team brought home a gold medal.
Armenia and Azerbaijan: A blockade that never ended and a peace deal hanging by a thread
Since mid June, no supplies are being allowed past Azerbaijani checkpoint. Azerbaijan has also blocked International Red Cross vehicles from entering the region citing "contraband" prevention measures.
And then there were none — how political parties are disappearing in Azerbaijan
Opposition political parties have long struggled in Azerbaijan, faced with arrests, detentions, financial hurdles, or persecution of their members.
Confronted with violence, Tbilisi PRIDE organizers cancel the festival
By the time the mob approached the festival venue, the festival organizers and all of the guests of the event were evacuated to avoid confrontation.
As summer heat rises, so do taxes in Turkey
The decision to raise taxes on scores of products, and services announced in the Official Gazette that night just made life for millions of Turks even harder.
The Georgian Dream party is not every Georgian’s dream
There is a visible divide between what the Georgian Dream wants, and what people of Georgia dream for.
In Turkey, women must wait 300 days before they remarry
The 300-day waiting period dates back to the Ottoman-era Islamic sharia legislation, which was imposed to avoid paternal filiation disputes.
In Turkey, authorities quickly cover up a report implicating the president's son in a corruption scandal
The practice of blocking content in Turkey is common. News directly related to the Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, his family, or AKP officials are most frequently blocked.
In Azerbaijan, feminist activists say not the time to celebrate
At least ten political activists left the embassy premises following the extraction of feminist activists and Hasanli.
Over 100 arrests following Pride march in Istanbul
The emphasis on family values and the portrayal of LGBTQ+ people as a threat to these values has been part of a narrative often weaponized by local politicians including President Erdoğan.
In Turkey, a TV show ‘Metamorphosis’ pushes state propaganda
Actor Can Nergis, who stars as Bayramli looks suspiciously similar to Kavala and the series's plot follows the life of Kavala except built on the false narrative.
How to silence an environmental protest Azerbaijan style
Residents say the existing artificial lake, built in 2012, is used to dump toxic waste from the mine poisoning the drinking water with severe consequences on residents' health.
