The Editors’ Union sent an official appeal to the participants of the regional organisation for Democracy and Economic Development GUAM Summit, in Baku on the 17-th of June. The appeal contains the brief information about the recent cases of pressure on journalists and obligations of Azerbaijan in the sphere of democracy and human rights. The appeal states that GUAM members should urge Azerbaijan to fulfill its obligations and respect human rights. (18-JUN-07)

Placed on the website by Shahla Ismailova/HRH Baku
 
APPEAL
Respected Presidents and State leaders!
 
We applaud GUAM as a block that has accelerated Euro-Atlantic integration in the post-Soviet space.   We have made consistent efforts to promote positive acceptance of this block in public opinion. At the same time, we touched on the fact that this block is a block that supports human rights, democracy and economic progress.
 
Respected gentlemen!
 
Our concern is this, that Azerbaijan does not fulfill human rights and democracy obligations that is has undertaken both to GUAM and a number of other respected international institutions, including the OSCE and the Council of Europe. We have no doubt that you are well aware of the situation that has arisen in Azerbaijan regarding the safety of journalists.
 
We would like to give a brief history of the recent incident of pressure against the mass media. At present seven (7) journalists are in prison. Out of these four have been imprisoned through the use of article 147 and 148 (defamation and libel) of the Republic of Azerbaijan´s Criminal Code. In addition, three well know journalists are serving probation as a result of 147 and 148.
 
The problems surrounding the safety of journalists have been stuck to this day in a very serious state. Since the 2 March 2005 ordered brutal shooting of famous Monitor Journal Chief Editor Elmar Huseynov, whose murderers have not been and whose murder case remains incomplete, many other journalists have been subjected pressure, including from “Azadlig” Newspaper Fikret Huseynli (kidnapped and beaten) and Nijat Daglar (beaten by unknown people), from “Zerkalo” Newspaper Rustam Mikayilov and Farid Teymurkhanli (beaten by police), from “Ayna” Newspaper Iddrak Abbasov (beaten by police), from “Bizim Yol” Bahaddin Haziyev (kidnapped, brutally beaten and left an invalid for life), from “Boz Gurd” Newspaper Ramiz Najafli (beaten by police), and from Turan News Agency Sarvan Rizvanov (beaten by police). Coming full circle, as a result of a disagreement with police which turned into a fist-fight “Yeni Musavat” Newspaper photo-correspondent Ali Kazimli was bedridden in the hospital and at home for six months, and ultimately died.
 
In April of this year “Realny Azerbaycan” Military writer Uzeir Jafarov was attacked in front of his own editorial office. He sustained serious head and brain trauma. It is worth noting that even though Jafarov identified one of his attackers is Baku police department employee Nabi Rajabov, an investigation has not been started into Rajabov, and the Internal Affairs Minister even states that he does not believe Jafarov.  It is also interesting that not a single attacker of journalists has been found or punished. Even police that have shown aggression towards journalists wearing special uniforms made at the order of the Press Council with approval from the Interior Ministry are not punished.  
 
In May of this year alone, three leading independent newspapers were forced to close: “Realny Azerbaycan,” “Gundalik Azerbaycan,” and “Baki Khabar.”   In general from January 2006- May 2007 tens of court cases against the mass media have been conducted.  And fines against newspapers have reached a total of over 500,000 USD. The above mentioned incidents testify to the end of the independent press and destruction of the essence of freedom speech.
 
The international community has announced that Ilham Aliyev is an enemy of the press. And officials from the OSCE have announced that Azerbaijan is the most dangerous place to be a journalist in the OSCE space.
 
In light of the gravity of the situation, and comprehending the need for intervention by relevant international organizations which Azerbaijan is a member of and obligations that this country has undertaken, we address to you an urgent appeal:
 
 
1)  In accordance with GUAM principals, make a serious call for Azerbaijan to respect human right and democratic principles must be made.
 
2)   Do not close your eyes to the fact that seven journalists are among the many political prisoners in Azerbaijan, which is a member of GUAM.
 
3)   Demand that without exception article 147 and 148 (libel and defamation) be removed from the Republic of Azerbaijan´s Criminal Code.
 
4)   In the GUAM summit this structure, as well as the Council of Europe and OSCE which announce the Euro-Atlantic integration of Azerbaijan, must adequately asess the disrspecte for human rights and demoracy and continuous execution of violent policies to create an openly authoritarian regime in the country.
 
 
Respectfully,
Editors Union of Azerbaijan