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 citizen sentenced to prison for insulting the president
Since getting elected as president in 2014, some "100,000 people have been accused of defaming the president," based on Article 299 of the Penal Code in Turkey.
In Turkey, religious cleric joins calls to censor social media
Ali Erbas, the head of the Religious Affairs Directorate in Turkey suggests using Islamic jurisprudence to control social media platforms.
Government announces new media regulations that could further constrain freedom of expression in Turkey
A number of government statements issued this week in Turkey signal a further decline on media freedom.
Global investigation reveals Pegasus Project identified in Azerbaijan and elsewhere
Around 1,000 phone numbers belonging to users in Azerbaijan were identified, among them, prominent journalists, editors, rights defenders, lawyers, political activists, as well as their friends and family members.
The rise and fall of Clubhouse in Turkey
After a brief few months of popularity among student protesters and opposition activists, pro-Erdoğan figures have now flooded the app.
How Azerbaijan's government abused Facebook's loopholes—for years
An investigation by The Guardian showed that Facebook has tolerated abuses of its platform in small nations such as Azerbaijan as it prioritized issues that affected the United States and its...
Turkey reins in social media—one platform at a time
The new social media law sets up a series of restrictions that will have a lasting impact on digital rights and freedom of expression in Turkey.
Azerbaijani authorities disrupt internet nationwide amid Nagorno-Karabakh clashes
Access has been on and off since clashes broke out on September 27.
How Turkey's broadcast regulator is taking over the supervision of online content
Under a new regulation, local streaming services like Netflix are required to adjust their content to the regulator's rules and guidelines.
Withheld in Turkey: How the government exploits removal requests to silence critical and independent voices
For years, Turkey has been exploiting tools offered by social media platforms to restrict illegal content in a particular jurisdiction, to silence critical voices.
Azerbaijanis pressure government to #FreeMehman after blogger endures 12 days on hunger strike
Young, popular and politicized, video blogger Mehman Huseynov is a classic target of the Azerbaijani government's crackdown on civil society.
Freedom abroad, fear at home: Azerbaijani human rights lawyer detained for 30 days
Emin Aslan had prepared multiple complaints brought before the European Court of Human Rights on behalf of Azerbaijani citizens.
‘They Fear Pens, Not Guns': Turkish Journalists Sentenced to Life in Prison
With 155 journalists serving jail time because of their work, such sentences are becoming routine for Turkey's embattled independent media community.
Justice Deferred: Uproar After Turkish Court Releases, Re-Arrests Amnesty International's Taner Kilic
"The court changed its mind... Why? Who knows, no grounds provided. Devastating for the family and an affront to justice."
Will We Ever See the End of Information Control in Azerbaijan?
Legal reforms restricting online speech seem to threaten everyone but the ruling elite of Azerbaijan.
After 113 Days Behind Bars, #Istanbul10 Human Rights Defenders Are Released Pending Trial
“I don’t have anything to regret. I just did my work as a human rights defender,” Idil Eser told the court.
50 Shades of Erdogan's Propaganda
The enemies of Turkey's authoritarian government are everywhere and state propaganda is taking on an increasingly absurd hue.
Who Are the #Istanbul10? Learn About the Work of Jailed Human Rights Defenders in Turkey
A group of human rights defenders and information technology trainers continue to face jail time in Turkey and accusations that they were "aiding a terrorist organization without being a member."
In State of Emergency, Turkey Jails Six Human Rights Defenders Pending Trial
"The accusations of aiding an armed terrorist organisation against them are groundless. Workshops of this kind are common, essential education for human rights organisations."
Turkish Authorities Detain Top Human Rights Defenders at Training Workshop
"[These] people who have dedicated their lives to human rights. A day will come when they will stand for the rights of those behind these vile news stories."
