At the end of his 3 day’s visit to Azerbaijan, the executive director of Human Rights ,Kenneth Roth (right), held a press conference on the 17-th of July 2007. He addressed a number of human rights issues, but specifically focused on advocating the immediate release of Azerbaijan’s seven imprisoned journalists. (18-JUL-07)
 
Placed on the website by Shahla Ismailova/ HRH Baku; photo by Shahla Ismailova

During the visit, Mr.Roth held a number of meetings with the representatives of the government, civil society organizations, human rights activists and mass media outlets. The conclusions he made from his personal acquaintance form the country are as the following:

• We have recommended a moratorium on any further criminal prosecutions of journalists. If a journalist commits libel or defamation then private civil remedies are possible, but no journalist should be prosecuted for the crime, the supposed crime, of libel. And the seven journalists who are in prison today should all be released.
• President Aliyev today has unprecedented political strength and popularity. But strong governments do not imprison journalists. Strong governments do not use the criminal law to prevent people from hearing what journalists have to say.
• President Aliyev should act consistently with the human rights principles that Azerbaijan has subscribed to. To reinforce the rule of law, to reinforce human rights in Azerbaijan, President Aliyev should release all seven journalists on July 22.
• That is not inciting terrorism. That is legitimate political criticism. (about the article “Aliyev’s are going to War” due to which E. Fatullayev is accused of committing terrorism)
• As for the attacks on journalists, we obviously don’t know who committed most these since they were always unidentified assailants. There is some suspicious circumstantial evidence. But the real test here is the vigor of the government’s investigation, which so far has not been sufficient.
• I am concerned by the president’s speech at the police academy because I am afraid it sends a signal for the 2008 elections that anything goes in suppressing demonstrations. And I hope the president will make an effort to clarify that message so that we do not see excessive force in the face of future demonstrations.