Refocusing the Spotlight on Azerbaijan

While the world’s attention is on Azerbaijan as host of the first European Games, the #SetThemFree campaign is putting the spotlight on the country’s alarming crackdown on its civil society. Over 100 democracy activists, independent journalists, and government critics, which include several

 

World Movement participants, have been imprisoned for exercising their fundamental rights to assembly and speech. Freedom House has stated that Azerbaijan has not been “free” since 2004, and the country is considered a state with a very limited democracy.

In support of human rights defenders and political prisoners in Azerbaijan, the #SetThemFree campaign will engage with the global public on actions to urge the government to release all political dissidents and independent journalists, as well as to build solidarity with supporters for democracy worldwide.

 

To learn more about the situation in Azerbaijan, please see this spotlight page with information, news, and opportunities to take action.

 

Photo courtesy of David Mdzinarishvili/Reuters.