On 28 December 2007 Iham Aliyev, the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan issued a decree on the release of some of the imprisoned people. The decree freed 119 prisoners including five journalists. The decree was welcomed by a number of national and international actors, still the issue of political prisoners remain of concern. (10-JAN-08)
Written by Shahla Ismailova/HRH Azerbaijan on the basis of materials from IRFS, Human Rights Center, Day.AZ, Turan News Agency
Journalists
The released journalists are Rovshan Mahmudov/Kabirli, Yashar Agazade (the editor-in-chief and correspondent of “Mukhalifat” Newspaper), Faramaz Allahverdiyev (“Nota bene” Newspaper correspondent), Samir Sadagatoglu and Rafig Tagi (editor-in-chief and correspondent of “Sanat” Newspaper).
The other imprisoned journalists-the founder and Editor-in-Chief of “Gundelik Azerbaijan” and Realniy Azerbaijan” newspapers Eynulla Fatullayev, “Azadlig” Newspaper correspondent/satiric Sakit Zahidov (Mirza Sakit), “Bizim Yol” Newspaper correspondent Mushvig Huseynov and “Azadlig” Newspaper Editor-in-Chief Ganimat Zahid have not been pardoned.
Reaction to Pardon
The head of Human Rights Center of Azerbaijan, Eldar Zeynalov (right) said “I support the decree of pardon of President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, because I, as a human rights activist, consider that no other assessment can be made of the decision of the President, which helped over 100 previously imprisoned people to spend the New Year with their families…. As to the still imprisoned reporters, including Eynulla Fatullayev, Mirza Sakit and Ganimat Zahid, that the court examinations of the cases of two of the three aforementioned reporters are currently conducted. If the court does not pass a decision to release them, after they pass all court instances, they will have an official right to be pardoned”, E.Zeynalov noted.
Reporters Without Borders says “While welcoming this decision we must stress that three journalists are still detained in Azerbaijan and we call for their immediate release,” Reporters Without Borders said. Those still held are Real Azerbaijan editor Eynulla Fatullayev, the poet and journalist Sakit Zahidov, and his brother, Azadlig editor Ganimat Zahidov”.
Amnesty International also welcomes the release of five journalists in Azerbaijan, however, the organization remains concerned about the continued imprisonment of other opposition or independent journalists in Azerbaijan on questionable charges including defamation, use of illegal drugs and ‘hooliganism’.
The European Union welcomes the long-awaited release of five journalists on the occasion of Solidarity Day of World Azerbaijanis, reads the statement of US Presidency. The presidential pardon is a positive step towards Azerbaijan’s fulfillment of international and European obligations with regard to freedom of the press.
Human Rights Watch addressed with a letter to President Ilham Aliyev welcoming the release of five journalists imprisoned for defamation and other criminal charges. “This step is in line with Azerbaijan’s Council of Europe obligations. Further steps should be taken to fully ensure press freedoms in Azerbaijan, including the release of the remaining four journalists and writers imprisoned for what appear to be politically motivated criminal charges, and the declaration of a moratorium on further prosecutions for criminal libel” reads the letter.
