The past year, I would argue, has been the worst on record for human rights in Azerbaijan since the breakup of the Soviet Union, i don't think it's fair to expect countries to have perfect transitions overnight, or maybe even in 24 years (since Soviet disintegration in the region, in 1991). But I do think it's fair to expect them to not regress significantly.

Rachel Denber

Categorized in : World

Now the government can directly censor content or even turn Russia's internet into a closed system without telling the public what they are doing or why, this jeopardizes the right of people in Russia to free speech and freedom of information online.

I think that they are eager to boost their prestige -- not just the prestige of their country, but also their personal prestige globally and domestically, (When) they put their country on display, they put their own sort of personal clout and power on display.