Leyla Yunus

Leyla Islam qizi Yunusova, widely known as Leyla Yunus, was born on December twenty-first, nineteen fifty-five. She is a prominent Azerbaijani human rights defender, politician, and historian, recognized for her unwavering commitment to advocating for the rights of citizens, particularly those affected by forced evictions in Baku. As the director of the Institute of Peace and Democracy, a dedicated human rights organization, Yunus has played a pivotal role in organizing protests to raise awareness about these critical issues.

In addition to her activism, Leyla Yunus was instrumental in founding the modern Popular Front party, contributing significantly to the political landscape of Azerbaijan. Her efforts have not gone unnoticed, as she has become a symbol of resilience and courage in the face of adversity.

In July two thousand fourteen, Yunus faced severe repercussions for her activism when Azerbaijani authorities imprisoned her on charges of fraud and tax evasion, which many observers deemed to be unfounded. On August thirteenth, two thousand fifteen, she was sentenced to eight and a half years in prison. However, due to her deteriorating health, she was released on December ninth, two thousand fifteen, with her sentence converted to a suspended one by the court.