Many who express opinions critical of the authorities – whether through traditional media, online, or by taking to the streets in protest – find themselves imprisoned or otherwise targeted in retaliation.
A broad coalition of international and Azerbaijani NGOs report on the human rights situation in the country – in their report, the NGOs examin the situation in Azerbaijan from the time of their first joint mission to the country in September 2010 to March 2012.
Issues examined in this report include: impunity for violence against journalists; political use of the law to silence freedom of expression; restrictions on the right to freedom of peaceful assembly; pressure against NGOs, human rights defenders and lawyers; restrictions on the right to freedom of information; the situation of freedom of expression online; state control of the media; ethics, professionalism and self-regulation of the media; and Azerbaijan’s efforts to promote a positive image abroad despite the freedom of expression problems in the country.
The Human Rights House Foundation (HRHF) has provided specific input to the report on freedom of association and the situation of human rights defenders and lawyers. “Over the past few years, the Azerbaijani authorities have engaged in a step-by-step campaign to silence these defenders, shutting down and interfering with the work of both national and international human rights organisations,” HRHF writes in the report.
—
The International Partnership Group for Azerbaijan (IPGA) is a coalition of international and Azerbaijani organisations working to promote and protect freedom of expression in Azerbaijan, including the following NGOs which published this joint report:
- ARTICLE 19
- Human Rights House Foundation
- Index on Censorship
- International Federation of Journalists
- Media Diversity Institute
- Norwegian Helsinki Committee
- Reporters Without Borders
- WAN-IFRA
Documents:
- Joint NGO report 2012
This report published in March 2012 is a publication of the International Partnership Group for Azerbaijan (IPGA), a coalition of international organisations working to promote and protect freedom of expression in Azerbaijan.
Closure of Azerbaijan Human Rights House:
One year has passed since Azerbaijan Human Rights House was asked to seize all activities until an agreement with the authorities was adopted. Despite of regular communication with the Azerbaijani authorities, the Azerbaijan Human Rights House is still closed.
Information on the closure of the Azerbaijan Human Rights House
Related articles:
