In 2013 constitutional and other legislative changes initiated the effective dismantling of civic space in Azerbaijan. Since 2013 Azerbaijani authorities have consistently disabled independent civil society by, amongst other things, imprisoning hundreds of human rights defenders, activists, journalists and political opponents on politically motivated charges, and forcing others into exile. This repression is no longer confined to Azerbaijan’s borders. Amnesty International has documented an escalating campaign of repression targeting those who live abroad and are critical of the government, including journalists, human rights defenders, activists and family members of government critics.
