On July 2 Parliament of Assembly of Council of Europe (PACE) President Lluís Maria de Puig conducted a briefing for journalists in Azerbaijan’s office of Council of Europe. To a question from the journalists about the imprisonment of journalists in Azerbaijan, Lluís Maria de Puig stated that the imprisonment of journalists in Council of Europe member states is unacceptable. (3-JUL-08)
    
Written by Shahla Ismayilova/ HRH Azerbaijan on the basis of materials from IRFS

Parliament of Assembly of Council of Europe President Lluís Maria de Puig mentioned that the immediate release of the journalists and other political prisoners was demanded in a resolution adopted by PACE about Azerbaijan. 

The PACE president emphasized that a special co-rapporteur might be appointed in September if Azerbaijani government doesn’t demonstrate determination on political prisoners. “Azerbaijan could face serious sanctions if it doesn’t integrate into standards of human rights and democracy and if it doesn’t fulfill its commitments,” he said.

Besides, according to PACE’s official internet site, PACE is deeply concerned about the deterioration of human rights in Azerbaijan in the run-up to the elections. In a resolution about Azerbaijan approved today, it is noted that, “The Assembly said restrictions on freedom of expression – including harassment and intimidation of opposition journalists – and limits on freedom of assembly and association were ‘inadmissible in a Council of Europe member state,’ and declared that the issue of political prisoners had not been resolved.”

Secretary General of Council of Europe Terry Davis said in a press conference he conducted in Strasburg that he is certain that the Azerbaijani government take the recommendations of the Parliament Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) seriously and adopt a decision about what how to proceed. According to Davis, Azerbaijan needs media and expression freedom to conduct democratic elections. He emphasized that Azerbaijan government doesn’t treat journalists fairly and he is not satisfied with such an attitude.