The rights to freedom of expression and assembly in Azerbaijan are severely restricted. In spite of this, youth activists, political opposition parties and others organized public protests in March and April 2011, demanding more freedoms and regime change. This report focuses on the recent wave of intimidation and arrests prior to, during and after these protests. It includes cases where people face harassment, ill-treatment, arbitrary arrests and imprisonment after unfair trials. It shows how human rights organizations were closed down by the authorities and pro-opposition journalists were beaten and threatened.
