Human rights
Signs and Wonders in a Damascus Prison
A prisoner finds some small comfort in rituals and fortune-telling.
In Syria, Wanting to Study Can Get You Arrested
A young man is seized by government forces while on his way to an exam.
Azerbaijani Government Watching its Expats
Registration system for people living abroad seen as Big Brother move.
Hate Speech vs. Free Speech in Armenia
Current laws ban racist and similar remarks, but not verbal attacks on LGBTI people.
Andijan Remembered
After shooting down protesters in 2005, Uzbekistan’s government concluded that repression works, that historical truth can be suppressed, and that no one will really care in the long run.
No Let-Up to Repression in Azerbaijan
One arrested, two jailed, one ordered to stay in detention after more than a year without trial.
In Battle With Radical Islam, Tajik Police Attack Beards
The idea that banning Islamic forms of dress will eliminate extremism is facile, experts say.
Azerbaijan: External Scrutiny Unwelcome
As the European Games approach, the government tries to accentuate the positive and silence critics.
Azerbaijan Convictions Don't Convince
“Arrests can take away our freedom, but not our desire to be free” - human rights defender Intiqam Aliyev