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Arzu Geybullayeva

Arzu Geybullayeva is an 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

Dissent
Turkey’s Youth on the Frontlines of Protests

Turkey’s Youth on the Frontlines of Protests

Arzu Geybullayeva

High school students have now joined university students in protests that have rocked the country since March 19 Written byArzu Geybullayeva ( Global Voices ) – Ever sinceMarch 19, when Istanbul’s popular mayor and main opposition party’s presidential candidate, Ekrem İmamoğlu, was first detained, then arrested, on bogus corruption and terrorism charges, Turkey has been […]

Israel
Turkey's Erdoğan threatens to intervene in Israel

Turkey’s Erdoğan threatens to intervene in Israel

Arzu Geybullayeva

( Globalvoices.org ) – A verbal spat between Turkey and Israel highlighted the country’s complicated relationship with Israel and Palestine and drew attention to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s penchant for doublespeak. During a speech in the province of Rize on July 28, Erdoğan said there was no reason for Turkey not to intervene in […]

Democracy
Secular Opposition Crushes pro-Islam AKP in Turkey's Local Elections

Secular Opposition Crushes pro-Islam AKP in Turkey’s Local Elections

Arzu Geybullayeva

( Globalvoices.org ) – Turkey’s local elections which took place on March 31, will go down in history as one of its most surprising. Turkey’s demoralized opposition, namely the [secular] Republican People’s Party (CHP), dominated in what many pundits described as the ruling [center-right] Justice and Development Party’s worst defeat of its 22-year existence. For […]

Climate Crisis
Climate Crisis: Though Turkey’s Forests are at Risk from Wildfires, the Country is still Wedded to Dirty Coal

Climate Crisis: Though Turkey’s Forests are at Risk from Wildfires, the Country is still Wedded to Dirty Coal

Arzu Geybullayeva

    In Turkey, when forests are not on fire, they are being destroyed by greedy men in suits Protests to save Akbelen forest continue despite the violence Written byArzu Geybullayeva ( Globalvoices.org) – Since 2019, the local residents of İkizköy village in Turkey’s southwestern province of Muğla have been trying to prevent deforestation in […]

European Union
Turkey has a long Road ahead with renewed European Union Bid

Turkey has a long Road ahead with renewed European Union Bid

Arzu Geybullayeva

Written byArzu Geybullayeva ( Globalvoices.org) – On July 20, European Union foreign ministers met to discuss Ankara’s renewed accession demands and agreed to re-engage with Turkey. In the European Commission report on enlargement for 2022, they noted the EU’s concerns over the country’s “continued deterioration of democracy, the rule of law, fundamental rights and the independence […]

Democracy
In a post-election Turkey, the country remains divided on political lines

In a post-election Turkey, the country remains divided on political lines

Arzu Geybullayeva

Written byArzu Geybullayeva ( Globalvoices.org) -Showing up at a polling station, as one of the two presidential candidates, in a country-wide election with a pocket full of cash may not occur to leaders of democratic countries, but in Turkey, that is what the newly re-elected President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan did on May 28. The incumbent […]

nationalism
Strong Showing for Erdogan sets up Turkish Run-Off Election for May 28

Strong Showing for Erdogan sets up Turkish Run-Off Election for May 28

Arzu Geybullayeva

Written byArzu Geybullayeva ( Globalvoices.org ) – The results from the May 14 general elections in Turkey were a surprise for some, a disappointment for others, and for those who rallied behind President Erdoğan and his coalition, a victory. These elections also showed how the main opposition coalition underestimated the societal split and the priorities […]

Democracy
In Turkey, Election Manipulation Abounded in the Run-up to Today's Presidential Election

In Turkey, Election Manipulation Abounded in the Run-up to Today’s Presidential Election

Arzu Geybullayeva

( Globalvoices.org ) – In Turkey, ahead of the country’s most important election in recent memory, being held today, Sunday May 14, the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) seems to be resorting to foul play and tricks to steer the votes in their favor. There are fake stickers, physical violence, dark web rumors, manipulated […]

Authoritarianism
Many Female Voters see Turkey's May 14 Elections as Crucial to Future of Women's Rights

Many Female Voters see Turkey’s May 14 Elections as Crucial to Future of Women’s Rights

Arzu Geybullayeva

Written byArzu Geybullayeva   ( Globalvoices.org) – In a report that was published in 2007 by European Stability Initiative, a think tank, Turkey’s ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) was hailed for bringing about reforms to empower women since coming to power in 2002. “If this report had been written in 1999, the year Turkey […]

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