Other Civic Space Rights
Below are cases involving whistleblowing, uncontrolled government surveillance, the registration of religious and social organisations, and the ability to participate in public life.
For over 20 years, Turkish minorities in Greece have been denied the opportunity to create associations linked to their Turkish heritage.
Multiple religious groups have been refused the right to register as formal entities in North Macedonia. The European Court of Human Rights has held that these refusals have been unjustified and for improper reasons.
Anar Mammadli is an activist specialized in monitoring elections in Azerbaijan.
In 2008, his NGO was dissolved by justice. In 2013, in his report about the last elections, he concluded that the Azerbaijani elections were not democratic. The same year he was arrested and placed in custody.
The European Court of Human Rights concluded that his arrest was purely political. The reason of his detention was to silent him.
Rashad Hasanov, Zaur Gurbanli, Uzeyir Mammadli and Rashadat Akhundov are four activists and members of NIDA civic movement. They fight for liberty and peace in Azerbaijan.
In 2013, they organized protests about governement actions.
The same year, they were all arrested and placed in custody for the organization of these events.
The European Court of Human Rights found that their arrest was politically motivated. The reason of their arrest was to punish them for having criticized the government.
At a press conference in May 1996, Constantin Bucur publicly revealed allegations that the Romania authorities had been illicitly intercepting the phone calls of journalists, politicians and members of civil society. He was sentenced to two years’ imprisonment. After the European Court of Human Rights ruled in his favour and found a lack of protections against unjustified government surveillance, citizens still wait for effective reforms.