Today, we celebrate the extraordinary life of Dr. Gubad Ibadoglu, an accomplished economist, scholar, and human rights defender from Azerbaijan. On his 52nd birthday, the world is coming together to honor Dr. Gubad Ibadoglu and demand his immediate release from prison, where he is being held on politically motivated charges. Despite the efforts of the repressive regime in Azerbaijan to silence him, Dr. Gubad continues to inspire people around the world with his courage, integrity, and dedication to human rights. So let us stand together in solidarity with Dr. Ibadoglu and demand his freedom on this special day.
Azerbaïdjan : PCQVP dénonce l’arrestation de son membre Gubad Ibadoghlu
— Elie Kaboré (@eliekabore) September 11, 2023
La exige que le gouvernement azerbaïdjanais libère immédiatement
Le Coalition a initié une pétition. Lisez et signez la déclaration complète ici -> https://t.co/bsj5NWuvRE #FreeGubad @PWYPtweets pic.twitter.com/DaXRlv1cAE
The political prisoner @gubad_ibadoglu held on trumped up charges by @presidentaz is turning 52 tomorrow. At @LSEnews @LSEIRDept colleagues have been joining the campaign to demand his immediate release @MilliLake @Mariia_Zolkina #FreeGubad https://t.co/Cm1PSt31fr pic.twitter.com/2q2SI1nhOx
— Tomila Lankina (@TomilaLankina) September 11, 2023
The political prisoner @gubad_ibadoglu held on trumped up charges by @presidentaz is turning 52 tomorrow. At @LSEnews @LSEIRDept colleagues have been joining the campaign to demand his immediate release. https://t.co/GuAMZvMnm3 pic.twitter.com/BghfXYtQKu
— Tomila Lankina (@TomilaLankina) September 11, 2023
Bu gün siyasi məhbus Qubad İbadoğlunun doğum günüdür. Hakimiyyətin ona qarşı irəli sürdüyü saxta və siyasi motivli ittihamlara görə Qubad bəy 52 yaşını həbsdə qarşılayır.
— Samir Kazimli (@SamirKazimli) September 12, 2023
Qubad bəyi doğum günü münasibəti ilə təbrik edirəm və tezliklə həbsdən çıxmasını arzulayıram. #FreeGubad pic.twitter.com/VvXvsJ0dHL
The Natural Resource Governance Institute demands the immediate release of @gubad_ibadoglu in #Azerbaijan.#FreeGubad
— Natural Resource Governance Institute (@NRGInstitute) September 13, 2023
🚨 https://t.co/rVHyZ1CjtX https://t.co/smHBmNRBIv pic.twitter.com/Zz6UP1QMJq
Dr. Gubad Ibadoglu is a highly respected economist who has worked tirelessly to promote economic development and alleviate poverty throughout Azerbaijan and the wider region. He is the author of numerous books and articles on economic policy, entrepreneurship, and regional development, and has served as a consultant to many international organizations, including the World Bank, the UNDP, and the European Commission. He has also been a vocal advocate for human rights and democratic reforms in Azerbaijan, often speaking out against government corruption and oppression. His critical voice has made him a target of the authoritarian regime in Azerbaijan, and he was arrested on dubious charges of tax evasion, embezzlement, and illegal entrepreneurship.
‼️Starting shortly – #EPlenary foreign policy debates on
— EP PressService (@EuroParlPress) September 13, 2023
– the situation in Guatemala after the elections,
– the case of Dr Gubad Ibadoghlu, imprisoned in Azerbaijan
– the human rights situation in Bangladesh, and notably the case of Odhikar
Watch here: https://t.co/z6X2FeSXlD pic.twitter.com/JOHffI5pfl
Yesterday Sir Julian Lewis MP raised in Parliament the plight of LSE academic Dr Gubad Ibadoghlu, imprisoned in Azerbaijan. @LSEIRDept | Source: UK Parliament, https://t.co/bLd8FcG514 pic.twitter.com/vF8gmP1k8s
— LSE (@LSEnews) September 13, 2023
Since his arrest, Dr. Ibadoglu has been held in pre-trial detention, where he has been denied proper medical care and subjected to harsh conditions. He has been unable to see his family and lawyers, and his health has deteriorated rapidly. Amnesty International and other human rights organizations have condemned his detention as politically motivated and called for his immediate release. Many international figures, including members of the European Parliament, the German Bundestag, and the US Congress, have expressed their support for Dr. Ibadoglu and demanded that the Azerbaijan government drop all charges against him and release him from custody.
Strasbourg, France#FreeGubad pic.twitter.com/tUxZO0MOLK
— Ibad bayramov #FreeGubad (@BayramovIbad) September 12, 2023
Budapest, Hungary#freegubad pic.twitter.com/xtfSITkv6i
— Ibad bayramov #FreeGubad (@BayramovIbad) September 12, 2023
Berlin, in front of Reichstag today! @gubad_ibadoglu's release was demanded all over the world on his birthday!
— Ibad bayramov #FreeGubad (@BayramovIbad) September 12, 2023
Freedom to Dr. Gubad! #FreeGubad pic.twitter.com/hxQiV0ZLnz
Istanbul, Turkey#freegubad pic.twitter.com/fiPxLBNzfk
— Ibad bayramov #FreeGubad (@BayramovIbad) September 12, 2023
Today, on his 52nd birthday, people around the world are celebrating Dr. Ibadoglu’s life and legacy, and calling for his freedom. From Brussels to Washington, from Berlin to Tbilisi, from London to Istanbul, events are being held to honor Dr. Ibadoglu and demand his release. Social media platforms are abuzz with messages of support, using hashtags like #FreeGubad to raise awareness of his case. Many politicians, scholars, public figures, human rights activists, journalists, and ordinary citizens are joining the chorus of voices calling for justice in Azerbaijan and an end to the persecution of dissenters.
Streets of Sweden!#freegubad pic.twitter.com/cIiyAajTLt
— Ibad bayramov #FreeGubad (@BayramovIbad) September 12, 2023
Proud to have joined @Crude_NGO and @amnestyusa in celebrating Dr Gubad Ibadoghlu's birthday and calling for his immediate release from wrongful detention in #Azerbaijan. #FreeGubad pic.twitter.com/FKKSaAkrBa
— Freedom Now (@freedomnoworg) September 12, 2023
Photos from today's protest in front of the @WhiteHouse to celebrate @gubad_ibadoglu's birthday.
— Emin #FreeGubad (@EminBayramli_) September 12, 2023
Free Dr. Gubad NOW!#FreeGubad pic.twitter.com/xFdEC83hGv
Happy Birthday Dr. Gubad! The international community stands with you in your fight against oppression! Your absence is deeply felt and we long for your presence.
— kananIZM (@kananIZM) September 13, 2023
From United states New Haven, CT #freegubad pic.twitter.com/XhBkKR49q3
Dr. Gubad Ibadoglu’s 52nd birthday is a powerful reminder of the enduring spirit of human dignity and the universal appeal of human rights. As we celebrate his life and legacy, we must also recognize the urgent need to defend freedom of expression, association, and political participation in Azerbaijan and elsewhere. We must demand the release of all prisoners of conscience, including Dr. Ibadoglu, and hold accountable those who suppress dissent and abuse power. We must stand in solidarity with all those who struggle for justice, equality, and human dignity, and build a world that upholds these values for all. So today, let us join hands and hearts in celebration and solidarity, and demand the immediate release of Dr. Gubad Ibadoglu. Happy Birthday, Gubad!
To mark Gubad’s 50th day of detention yesterday, and his birthday today, we asked PWYP members to send pictures holding a #FreeGubad pancart.
— Publish What You Pay (@PWYPtweets) September 12, 2023
We aimed at gathering 50 pictures but were overwhelmed by receiving over 100. This is the power of our network🌏🌍🌍 pic.twitter.com/SWVivuFTLg