Manaf Jalilzade, an Azerbaijani opposition blogger, has come through a challenging fight for his rights and life. Even after fleeing Azerbaijan, he was persecuted by the government, received death threats and was brutally attacked in Switzerland. Now he is being punished for exercising his right to freedom of expression. Manaf cannot feel safe in Switzerland and needs your help in defending rights.
Story
Manaf Jalilzade is an Azerbaijani activist and blogger, the creator of the popular YouTube channel “Diktator TV”.
The activist had to flee Azerbaijan for publicly voicing his opinion against the Azerbaijani government. Manaf was taken into custody, subjected to inhumane treatment by the police officers and forced to stop his Internet activism. Due to the intensification of persecution, he was forced to flee Azerbaijan and apply for international protection in Switzerland.
Death threats and attacks from unidentified people continue to haunt Manaf even in a democratic country, where he does not feel protected and struggles for his safety. In April 2022, the activist was attacked right in front of his house. He was severely beaten by unknown individuals upon instructions of the Azerbaijani government. The blogger was hospitalized with a broken nose bone and a knocked out tooth. The 2022 report of the US Department of State described the attack against Manaf and admitted that the violence was used by the Azerbaijani government as politically motivated reprisal.
Now an Azerbaijani singer in cooperation with the government has initiated a criminal case against Manaf to make him pay large sums of money and prevent him from performing his blogging activities. The blogger is being punished for expressing his opinion, and Switzerland fails to prevent the arbitrary restriction of Manaf’s fundamental human rights.
The activist had to flee Azerbaijan for publicly voicing his opinion against the Azerbaijani government. Manaf was taken into custody, subjected to inhumane treatment by the police officers and forced to stop his Internet activism. Due to the intensification of persecution, he was forced to flee Azerbaijan and apply for international protection in Switzerland.
Death threats and attacks from unidentified people continue to haunt Manaf even in a democratic country, where he does not feel protected and struggles for his safety. In April 2022, the activist was attacked right in front of his house. He was severely beaten by unknown individuals upon instructions of the Azerbaijani government. The blogger was hospitalized with a broken nose bone and a knocked out tooth. The 2022 report of the US Department of State described the attack against Manaf and admitted that the violence was used by the Azerbaijani government as politically motivated reprisal.
Now an Azerbaijani singer in cooperation with the government has initiated a criminal case against Manaf to make him pay large sums of money and prevent him from performing his blogging activities. The blogger is being punished for expressing his opinion, and Switzerland fails to prevent the arbitrary restriction of Manaf’s fundamental human rights.
Activist protesting against the Aliyev regime in Geneva
Manaf’s travel document for refugees
Manaf in a hospital following an attack against him
Manaf is a refugee and belongs to a vulnerable group of people who have experienced the trauma of persecution and forced displacement. It is much more difficult for this category of people to obtain equal treatment, decent living conditions and respect for their rights.
Help us support Manaf in covering his legal costs, which are necessary for the protection of his rights in Switzerland. Your donation makes a difference, no matter the amount.
Help us support Manaf in covering his legal costs, which are necessary for the protection of his rights in Switzerland. Your donation makes a difference, no matter the amount.
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