Amnesty International: Freedom of expression under attack

On 9 August Amnesty International issued the public statement about the concern at “the sharp deterioration in freedom of expression in Azerbaijan, and in particular the killing, beating and intimidation of journalists”. The statement says that “a series of violent attacks on journalists and the lack of thorough, effective and independent investigations into these incidents have had a chilling effect on the freedom of expression in the country” (10-AUG-2006)

The fact that no one has been brought to justice for these attacks, and that in most cases the identity of the assailants remains unknown, contributes to a climate of impunity for assaults against journalists. In other cases allegations of the beating and harassment of journalists by law enforcement officials have yet to be thoroughly or independently investigated. The fact that many of the victims are closely linked to opposition parties and newspapers suggests a political context to these abuses which Amnesty International finds deeply alarming.  

Appeals
Amnesty International has written to the President of Azerbaijan, the Minister of Internal Affairs, the Ombudsman of the Azerbaijani Republic, the Azerbaijani Press Council and the Prosecutor General raising concerns related to the harassment of journalists by law enforcement officials, especially during the 2005 parliamentary election campaign, the murder of Elmar Huseynov in March 2005, assaults on Fikret Huseynli and Bahaddin Haziyev and the arrest and prosecution of Sakit Mirza Zakhidov.

Concerns raised by Amnesty International include attempts by law enforcement or security forces to restrict freedom of expression during politically sensitive periods, such as election campaigns. On several occasions in the period preceding the 6 November 2005 parliamentary elections journalists covering demonstrations and rallies were assaulted and harassed despite being clearly identifiable as journalists through the wearing of armbands and/or press jackets. The fact that municipal authorities may not have authorized a meeting or rally in no way justifies the harassment or beating of journalists in the course of their professional work at such meetings.

Amnesty International urges the Azerbaijani authorities to ensure that thorough, effective and independent investigations are conducted into all incidents of killings, beatings and other human rights abuses committed against journalists. This is both urgent and necessary to counter the current climate of impunity for assaults on journalists and on all those who peacefully exercise the right to freedom of expression.

Full text of the statement is available at Amnesty International Website