LONDON/04.03.05/TURAN: “We are profoundly saddened and angered by   the murder of Elmar Huseinov” said Agnes Callamard, Executive Director   of ARTICLE 19. “He was a man and a journalist of great courage and   commitment. Today, the media in Azerbaijan has lost an important critical  voice.”  ARTICLE 19 is particularly  concerned with the increasing climate of intolerance against the media,   and with the failure of the Azerbaijan authorities to put an end to these   attacks.  (4-MAR-2005)


    Elmar Huseinov founded the Monitor magazine in 1996 to expose the abuses  of the regime of then President of Azerbaijan Heydar Aliyev. Prior to   this, he was editor-in-chief of Bakinski Bulvar, an opposition newspaper. 

Constant pressure on free media
    From May 2000, onwards, Elmar Huseinov had been under constant and   increasing pressure from the Azerbaijan authorities. Elmar Huseinov faced  several defamation suits, and on numerous occasions, experienced severe   difficulties with printing the Monitor, including tax inspectors raids   on his office. 
    “We call on the Azerbaijani government to launch an immediate and thorough   investigation into the murder of Elmar Huseinov, and bring the perpetrators   to justice.” 
    This murder is the last and most dramatic incident in a series of attacks   and threats against journalists in Azerbaijan. ARTICLE 19 is particularly  concerned with the increasing climate of intolerance against the media,   and with the failure of the Azerbaijan authorities to put an end to these   attacks. 
    “By not acting systematically against the climate of violence, the Azerbaijani   authorities are in clear breach of their international obligations to respect,   protect and fulfil freedom of expression and freedom of the media.” 

Urge for clear investigation 
    ARTICLE 19 calls upon the Azerbaijani authorities to: 
    – Launch without delay a full investigation of the murder of Elmar Huseinov; 
    – Publish its findings and bring to justice those responsible for committing   the murder; 
    – Investigate the numerous incidents against journalists that occurred between   the October 2003 elections and now; 
    – Take decisive measures to ensure the safety of journalists in the future.