Having documented a number of incidents in which journalists were seriously assaulted by unknown actors, including the most recent assaults on Ali Orujov and Nijat Huseynov, Amnesty International launched the Campaign. The Campaign includes the action of sending courteous letters in Azeri, Russian, English, Turkish or your other language on the concern about the attacks on Ali Orujov and Nijat Huseynov to urge the police and prosecution authorities to provide information to the general public on the scope, methods, findings and progress of investigations into attacks on journalists. (12-JAN-07)

Written by Shahla Ismailova/HRH Baku on the basis of information from Amnesty International.

 “Such cases should not be considered closed, until they are effectively investigated and those responsible are brought to justice. The lack of transparency surrounding such cases contribute further to the climate of impunity for attacks on journalists”, thinks Amnesty International urges the government to demonstrate due diligence in taking steps to prevent and investigate assaults against journalists by non-state actors, and to ensure redress for victims.

Amnesty International is concerned that the Azerbaijani authorities appear to be failing in their duty to combat impunity for such attacks by bringing perpetrators to account. The fact that one of these assaults was carried out in a busy street in broad daylight is a worrying indicator of the assumption of impunity by those perpetrating the assault. AI urges the government to guarantee the right of freedom of opinion and expression as guaranteed by Azerbaijan’s domestic legislation, as well as its international obligations.