On March 4, the Azeri Ombudsman Elmira Suleymanova, right, presented her annual report in the Azeri Parliament. Suleymanova touched issues such as the situation of speech freedom in Azerbaijan. The ombudsperson was criticized by members of parliament for not doing enough to get imprisoned journalists released. (08-MAR-08)
Placed on website by Shahla Ismayilova /HRH Azerbaijan on the basis of materials from Turan Information Agency and IRFS
In this report Elmira Suleymanova stated that the government has already done some work in this area. She also touched the problems of imprisoned journalists. According to “Bizim Yol” newspaper, the Ombudsman said she was familiar with the situation of prisons where journalists are kept, but did not specifically mention the arrests of Eynulla Fatullayev, Ganimat Zahidov and other journalists. She said, “Due to the appeals we have received, we have met with the imprisoned journalists. They didn´t complain about torture or the conditions in the prisons.” She also mentioned that some journalists were arrested for activities other than professional ethics.
Reaction of MPs
During the session of Milli Mejlis the Ombudsman’s report was the main topic for discussion. Several deputies showed their attitude to this report. Deputy Ali Masimli expressed his position on the report by suggestion that the Ombudsman put forth an initiative for the release of the imprisoned journalists.
Deputy Jamil Hasanli supported this suggestion. Then Deputy Igbal Agazade talked about imprisoned journalists and said, “The Ombudsman shouldn´t think her mission is over just because she visited the prisons and prisoners. Why isn´t the Ombudsman taking any measures with regards to the imprisoned journalists and why doesn´t she raise the issue in front of relevant organizations?”
