Documents on Europe/Central Asia

Azerbaijan: Peaceful Protest Crushed Ahead of Eurovision Final

Press release
May 25, 2012

The Azerbaijani authorities detained over 70 peaceful protesters gathered on a seaside promenade in the capital, Baku.
Hungary: New Laws Curb Media Freedom

Press release
May 25, 2012

The Hungarian government has ignored recommendations by the Council of Europe to revise controversial laws that limit media freedom.
China: EU Rights Talks Sliding Toward Irrelevance

Press release
May 25, 2012

The European Union needs to hold China accountable for its human rights obligations under international law or face the prospect that its human rights dialogue with the world’s second largest economy will become irrelevant.
Uzbekistan: Rights Defender Threatened, Attacked

Press release
May 24, 2012

Uzbek authorities should ensure the security of the human rights activist Gulshan Karaeva, who was attacked and threatened after she publicly refused to become a government informant.
Azerbaijan: Eurovision No Party for Peaceful Protesters

Press release
May 24, 2012

The Azerbaijani authorities roughed up and arbitrarily detained at least 30 and possibly more than 70 peaceful protesters today as dozens of local and international journalists looked on.
HRW Submission to the UK Foreign Affairs Select Committee

Advocacy/impact
May 24, 2012

Human Rights Watch welcomes the publication of the Foreign Office annual report on human rights and democracy.
Azerbaijan: Eurovision – The View From a Courtroom

Commentary
May 24, 2012

The capital of Azerbaijan is alive with preparations for the Eurovision Song Contest finals on Saturday. Yet sadly, it's business as usual in the city's courtrooms. I came here to document human-rights violations—including, as it turns out, a violent crackdown on protesters on the eve of Eurovision's entertainment extravaganza.
Azerbaijan: Authorities Violently Disperse Peaceful Rallies

Press release
May 22, 2012

Azerbaijan sent an ominous message about the government’s commitment to fundamental freedoms as the police violently dispersed two peaceful protests on May 21, 2012.
The Azerbaijanis Who Aren't Feeling the Eurovision Glow

Commentary
May 17, 2012

We are only days away from our annual European dose of kitsch and glamour delivered wonderfully by the Eurovision song contest, coming this year to our living rooms from Baku, Azerbaijan on 26 May.
Azerbaijan: Free Activists, Journalists Held on Bogus Charges

Press release
May 17, 2012

The Azerbaijani authorities should promptly follow the May 15, 2012 release of an opposition activist by releasing others held on politically motivated charges.