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Baku-based Human Rights Club launched a new human rights campaign, Art for Democracy. The campaign will use artistic expression as a means of promoting democratic reform and respect for human rights in Azerbaijan. The launch took place on International Human Rights Day, 10 December 2012, which is also the second anniversary of the establishment of the Human Rights Club.

Art for Democracy seeks to expand upon the concept of the previous Sing for Democracy campaign, which used the 2012 Eurovision Song Contest as a platform to draw attention to the human rights situation and promote democratic reform in Azerbaijan. Art for Democracy will incorporate all forms of art, bringing together Azerbaijan’s artistic and human rights communities. The campaign will also provide support to artists who are subjected to human rights violations.

“We are excited to announce the launch of Art for Democracy,” said Human Rights Club Chairman and Art for Democracy Coordinator Rasul Jafarov. “It will be the first campaign of its kind in Azerbaijan, and we hope this new, creative approach will be effective.”

The Human Rights Club will mark International Human Rights Day with a two day celebration. On 10 December the public was invited to attend an event to commemorate the Human Rights Club’s anniversary at the office of the Institute for Reporters’ Freedom and Safety. 11 December, the

Human Rights Club hosted an event to celebrate the launch of the Art for Democracy campaign.

For any enquiries, or to arrange an interview with Rasul Jafarov, please send a message to artfordemocracy@gmail.com or call +994 50 586 3537.

For more information, follow Art for Democracy on Facebook and Twitter.