Azerbaijani journalist Malahat Nasibova exposes the human rights abuses of the little-known region in her country called Nakhchivan,which she describes as a “testing laboratory” for repressive methods that are later exercised by the government in other parts of the country. She describes the routine silencing of journalists in the region and the nearly insurmountable obstacles that NGOs face when registering with the government.Nasibova calls for the help of the international community and asks foreign companies with economic interests in the region to help her promote democracy.Despite the brave efforts of Nasibova and others, only with more external pressure will the government of Nakhchivan institute major changes.
