On December 20, British MP from Labour Party Helen Goodman held an adjourment debate on human rights in Azerbaijan.
Helen Goodman was part of a group of parliamentarians who supported a petition for free speech in Azerbaijan that was launched when the country hosted the Eurovision Song Contest in May.
The petition, drawn up by Index on Censorship, calls on President Ilham Aliyev to end violations of free speech in Azerbaijan. It has been signed by over 4,000 people.
Amnesty International’s 2011 country report for Azerbaijan found that “restrictions on freedom of expression have been tightened” and “independent journalists and civil society activists continue to face harassment” (BBC).
