Fuad Alakbarov

Fuad Alakbarov is an Azerbaijani-Scottish political commentator, human rights activist and photographer. He is known as a campaigner and writer on inequality, poverty, green economics, localisation, alternatives to globalisation, animal welfare and conflict. In his time as a activist, he has worked with non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and think-tanks, including the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND), the Scottish Refugee Council, the Show Racism the Red Card and Migrant Voice. Early life and education Alakbarov was born in Sabail district of Baku in 1988. He attended Cleveden Secondary School in Glasgow. In 2012, he graduated from Glasgow Caledonian University with BA Hons Management, Technology and Enterprise degree. Political activism His involvement in socialist politics accelerated in early 2014 during the Scottish independence referendum. He has been a long-time campaigner on refugee rights and anti-racism issues. Alakbarov has been a longstanding critic of the indefinite detention. On 12 September 2015, along with few activists, he created "Europe Sees Syria" campaign, which gathered over two million people around cities like Glasgow, London, Berlin, Aberdeen, Athens and Barcelona to raise awareness about the European refugee crisis. Since the late 2000s, he also provided humanitarian aid to refugees and homeless in the Calais Jungle, the Czech Republic, Greece, Turkey and Scotland. In June 2016, Alakbarov campaigned against the Referendum to leave the European Union. Since 2017, he is a member of a cross party group on racial equality in the Scottish Parliament. Political positions Environment and animal rights Alakbarov has been a strong advocate for environmentalism. He advocates a ban on hydraulic fracking, a phasing out of fossil fuel extraction, and investment in public transport to improve air quality. He is also against the building of new nuclear power stations and has campaigned against replacing the Trident nuclear weapons system. Foreign policy Alakbarov is an avid supporter of the recognition of the Khojaly Massacre. He played a key role in Scotland's recognition of the Khojaly Massacre. Social benefits Alakbarov focuses on economic issues such as income and wealth inequality, poverty, raising the minimum wage, making public colleges and universities tuition-free by taxing financial transactions. Social issues Alakbarov has been a long-time campaigner on refugee rights and anti-racism issues. He has been a longstanding critic of the indefinite detention for failed asylum seekers. He has also campaigned on women's rights and gender equality. He have criticised British fashion label Burberry for destroying unsold clothes and accessories worth £28 million in 2018 to protect its brand. War and peace Alakbarov was opposed to the invasion of Iraq and War in Afghanistan, NATO-led military intervention in Libya, military strikes against Syria. He has criticized Britain's close ties with Saudi Arabia and British involvement in Saudi Arabian-led intervention in Yemen. He has called for Tony Blair to be investigated for alleged war crimes during the Iraq War. Personal Life Alakbarov is fluent in five languages: English, Russian, Turkish and Azerbaijani. He is an avid supporter of Neftchi Baku. Alakbarov follows Celtic as his Scottish side. Since 2017, Alakbarov represents Scotland at international chess championships.