ESI at discussion on the “Azerbaijan Connection”

26 July 2021
Video: Frank Schwabe

ESI’s Gerald Knaus was invited to participate in an online discussion on the “Azerbaijan Connection” with MP Frank Schwabe, Spokesperson on Human Rights Policy of the SPD Parliamentary Group in the German Bundestag, and SOC Group Chair at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe; Hartmut Bäumer, chairman of Transparency International Germany; Adám Földes, advocacy adviser at Transparency International; and Timo Lange from LobbyControl.

Gerald described Azerbaijan’s “Caviar Diplomacy” of systematic bribing in and outside of the Council of Europe to downplay its human rights record. He also outlined what needs to be done to counter the authoritarian capture of democratic institutions such as the Council of Europe.