Eurovision and human rights in Azerbaijan

On 26 May 2012, Azerbaijan’s capital city, Baku, will host the Eurovision Song Contest. Few of the international contestants are probably aware of Azerbaijan’s appalling human rights record, particularly in regard to free expression.

By Lucy Popescu | Notebook, Opinion | Thursday, 24 May 2012 at 4:02 am

With the Eurovision approaching, it’s time to draw attention to the lack of human rights in Azerbaijan

Azerbaijani journalist Idrak Abbasov was brutally assaulted last week.

“Where I have come from, telling the truth can cost a journalist their life”, he said. “In countries such as Azerbaijan we journalists have to make a choice, and we choose the right to tell the truth.”

By Laura Davis | Notebook, Opinion, The Foreign Desk | Monday, 23 April 2012 at 11:45 am