Human Rights House Azerbaijan partners gathered together to celebrate 2009 Rafto Prize awarded to journalist and human rights activist Malahat Nasibova.
Ragsana Mammadova, Co-ordinating Manager of Human Rights House Azerbaijan introduced Malahat Nasibova to the participants where she highlighted under which conditions Nasibova has been working, and managed to raise awareness in international community on difficulties of working in Nakhchivan for the sake of free expression and independent press. She also evaluated this Prize as an award to all journalists in Azerbaijan. Then she gave floor to Malahat Nasibova to share her impressions.
First Malahat talked about her long way taking her to this Prize. She also mentioned that this prize served as an encouragement for the regional representatives of the political parties who work under the same pressure and experience abuse of power, human rights violations and corruption in the isolated Autonomous Republic of Nakhchivan. She briefed the participants on her interviews with the Norwegian media, her visit to the Parliament of Norway and a number of other visits and meetings which she did not expect, yet was highly impressed by the attention, care of everybody who was sharing her happiness and achievement.
Vugar Qojayev, Azerbaijan representative of Norway Helsinki Committee, who also joined Malahat at the Prize Award Ceremony in Bergen, Norway informed the participants about Rafto Foundation, its history and Rafto Prize Laureates. He also introduced the members of the delegation who represented Azerbaijan in Rafto Symposium and Rafto Prize award ceremony early this month.
Journalist Matanat Muslimqizi, Editor-in-Chief of Leader Woman magazine talked about the situation in Nakhchivan concerning free expression and Malahat’s heroism in standing all kinds of pressure and harassment.
Leyla Yunus, Director of Institute for Peace and Democracy also highlighted very difficult working conditions in Nakhchivan for human rights defenders, activists and journalists. She also mentioned that UN CAT started its meeting today where alternative reports submitted to the Committee on the situation concerning torture in Azerbaijan would be considered. 3 alternative reports were submitted to the Committee one of which was prepared by the partner organizations of the Human Rights House Azerbaijan.
At the end Malahat Nasibova had the participants’ virtual trip to Norway through sharing her photos.
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