The growing tension on the human rights situation and ongoing intimidation of mass media in Azerbaijan remain to be the point of serious concern among the numerous international organizations. During May, there were dozens of international reactions, but Azerbaijani government is still ignoring the calls to stop intimidating journalists. (30-MAY-07)
Written by Shahla Ismailova/HRH Baku, on the basis of materials from the US Embassy, RWB, Council of Europe, UN Office, CPJ, IPI, IRFS, IFJ, Article 19, OSCE.
UN Special Rapporter on the Freedom of opinion and expression, Ambeyi Ligabo: “While the Government and State institutions have expressed a willingness to conduct a more open dialogue with media representatives and international organizations, the media environment is marked by various deficiencies… I hope that measures will be taken to review national policies and several court decisions “which have created a widespread sense of fear and censorship among journalists thus diminishing their editorial freedom”
Council of Europe Secretary General, Terry Davis: “In recent months, several journalists have been imprisoned on charges of criminal defamation or physically attacked in incidents which appear to be related to their work. It is unacceptable and greatly damages the international reputation of Azerbaijan. Criminal sanctions for defamation should be abolished in any democratic country which respects human rights and the rule of law…. I am very concerned about the threat to freedom of expression in Azerbaijan. This worrying trend of imprisoning and harassing journalists seems to continue. Clearly, as the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, I cannot remain silent if the freedom of expression, which is a cornerstone of democracy and accountability of state institutions, is so seriously undermined in such a serious fashion.”
The US Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights and Labor, Barry Lowenkron: “A free and active press is one of the most important pillars of democracy… The unsolved murder of Elmar Huseynov and unpunished attacks against journalists have created a climate of intimidation. Criminal libel suits threaten to silence independent and critical voices. We urge the media to raise professional and ethical journalistic standards, although low standards should not be used as a rationale for harassment or criminal prosecution of a media outlet.”
US Embassy in Azerbaijan, head of Public Relations Department, Jonathan Henick “Democracy, like safety and energy are main priorities in the US’s relations with Azerbaijan, therefore events taking place in democracy influence the development of bilateral relations”
CPJ, program coordinator, Nina Ognianova: “Azerbaijan has become a top jailor of journalists in Europe and Central Asia… With five behind bars on politicized charges, Azerbaijan is a close second only to Uzbekistan, which holds six journalists in custody. Authorities have no tolerance for media scrutiny and unabashedly use the country’s criminal libel laws to jail their critics.”
RWB added Ilham Aliyev to its list of Predators of Press Freedom. According to the media freedom organization, Ilham Aliyev “is seen as an amiable man unsuited to the harsh realities of politics, but has shown himself to be a true son of his father by cracking down on the opposition and targeting pro-opposition papers and others denouncing corruption.” Other predators of the press include A.Lukashenka, Fidel Castro and Vladimir Putin. “There are instigators and powerful people behind press freedom violations whose responsibility is not always apparent.”
International Federation of Journalists (IFJ):
“Azerbaijan’s government has demonstrated a shocking level of contempt for independent media with the latest imprisonment of two more journalists,” said IFJ General Secretary Aidan White. The government must repeal its criminal defamation law, release the seven journalists currently in jail and end its pattern of intimidation of independent media…The number of journalists behind bars in Azerbaijan is staggering and has a chilling effect on media in the country. The government seems to be sending a message that critical reporting can land you in jail.”
Article 19, executive director Agnes Callamard :”These events create a climate of fear which is incompatible with a free and independent media and ultimately undermines the credibility of Azerbaijan’s democracy” Callamard then calls on Azerbaijan’s government to take all necessary steps “towards the decriminalization of defamation.”
The International Press Institute (IPI), held its annual World Congress and 56th General Assembly in Istanbul, Turkey from May 12-15 attended by editors, publishers, journalists and press freedom activists from over 120 countries, adopted a resolution on the deteriorating press freedom situation in Azerbaijan. The resolution notes “The IPI membership believes that the Azerbaijani government’s failure to respect freedom of expression and freedom of the press is not only a threat to journalists, but also a violation of the country’s human rights obligations. Therefore, IPI membership calls on the Azerbaijani government to immediately release all imprisoned journalists; decriminalize defamation and eliminate insult laws; and end impunity for all murders and attacks on journalists.”
OSCE, head of office in Baku Jose Herrero Ansola : “We will continue to support the freedom of speech and improvement of media in Azerbaijan. we want suitable conditions to be created for the improvement of independent media.”
OSCE, representative on freedom of the media Miklos Haraszti: “Media freedom in Azerbaijan is under growing pressure from the authorities.”
Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs Karen Hughes says the U.S. is committed to a free press: “To all the courageous journalists — writers, editors, producers, cameramen, freelancers –- who are daily risking your lives in many countries around the world, we want you to know that America stands with you in supporting freedom of thought and democratic expression…The United States recently launched a dialogue with the government of Azerbaijan on democracy and human rights issues, including media freedom to improve d understanding on these issues and to protect basic rights, including freedom of expression.”
