A nation must think before it acts.
At a meeting of NATO allies in Brussels in November 2017, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev highlighted the importance of free speech and internet freedom.
A summary published on the official presidential website paraphrased Aliyev’s remarks as follows:
“Highlighting democratic development issues, President Ilham Aliyev said the free internet, freedom of speech, freedom of assembly and other freedoms are ensured in Azerbaijan.”
This and other similar assertions have elicited raised eyebrows from many Azerbaijani journalists. Aliyev’s words are a far cry from his actions over the past five years.