The Democracy Research Institute, in cooperation with the Human Rights Center, offers free legal aid on issues of hate crimes, hate speech, bullying/cyberbullying and violence.

DRI echoes the attack of organized groups on the participants in the rally held on May 2 and notes that the inaction of the law enforcement officers in relation to the violence was striking and calls on the Ministry of Internal Affairs to ensure the safety of the protestors.

On May 1, 2024, the Ministry of Internal Affairs used active special equipment, including pepper spray, tear gas, pepper gas shells, rubber bullets and water cannon, against protesters  in the vicinity of the Parliament.

According to the DRI, the case of two people who were arrested for administrative offences during the eviction of a family from a residential building was formally processed in Tbilisi City Court, and the decision is not based on the assessment of individual circumstances.

Accordingly, the Democracy Research Institute considers it important to assess the legislation that regulates freedom of assembly and expression and actions of law enforcement officers in the process of exercising these rights.

According to the media reports, a number of journalists have been arrested in Azerbaijan in the last few months.