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 from August, 2022
In Azerbaijan, international absence on a visit to formerly disputed territory draws government ire
The absence of US and French representatives at the event dedicated to the "restoration and reconstruction" of territories Azerbaijan regained after the war, seemed to have irritated the authorities.
In Turkey, the arrest of a popular singer prompts debate on the justice system and more
Gülşen's arrest prompted her fans and rights activists to accuse the state of a disproportionate justice system, as well as steering the country in a more conservative direction.
A crowdsourced map in Turkey targeting stray dogs leads to public outcry
Havrita was launched in May 2022, but a spike in the number of poisoned stray dogs has brought the website under scrutiny in recent days.
Georgia's ruling party is committed to silencing independent media
The ruling Georgian Dream party said the ad was negatively representing the party, affecting its electoral future.
Georgia and Russia spar with online bullying, historical grievances, and visa regulations
Since the start of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the ruling Georgian Dream has been cautious, as if walking on a mine field while anti-Russia sentiments among public are growing.
Unfreedom Monitor Report: Turkey
Advox research into digital authoritarianism in Turkey is now in a report. Read an excerpt and download the full pdf.
In Turkey, religious values are used to censor online content
Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office claims the music streaming platform approved playlists that were "insulting religious values and state officials."
New tensions in Karabakh as Armenia and Azerbaijan exchange blame and accusations
Two years since Azerbaijan and Armenia fought a 44-day war over the Nagorno-Karabakh region, tensions are rising, with both nations accusing each other of violating the November 2020 peace agreement
Under BTK's eye: investigation reveals Turkey's information and communication authority has been collecting private user data for over a year
The private user data collected by Turkey's Information and Communication Technologies Authority (BTK) has been described by main opposition party as the biggest tapping scandal in the Republic's history.
Azerbaijan court overlooks a hate crime against LGBTQ+ activist
The sentence omitted any mention of a hate crime and overlooked the perpetrator's targetted cruelty, including abusing the body after committing the crime, beheading Hafizil, and committing genital mutilation.
