Leyla Yunus is an Azerbaijani human rights activist and historian known for her work for human rights, democracy, and peace in Azerbaijan. She co-founded and headed the Institute for Peace and Democracy, an organization focused on promoting human rights and conflict resolution in the region. Yunus has been involved in documenting human rights abuses, advocating for the rights of political prisoners, and raising awareness about issues such as forced evictions, discrimination, and freedom of expression. She has faced personal and professional challenges due to her activism, including harassment and legal troubles.