World Press Freedom Day honors sacrifices around the world made for press freedom and puts pressure of governments that deny their citizenry of this basic human right. Over one hundred of journalists, human rights activists, public leaders, opposition parliament deputies and representatives of the US embassy marked World Press Freedom Day in Azerbaijan by visiting the grave of Elmar Huseynov, slain editor of the Monitor magazine. (03-May-07)

Written Shahla Ismailova/HRH Baku on the basis on information from Turan Information Agency, Day.AZ,  the Institute for Reporter Freedom and Safety, photos from Yeni Musavat Newspaper

World-Press-DayIn front of the cemetery’s entrance they staged an improvised demonstration demanding the observation of freedom of speech and the protection of journalists.

The resolution of the demonstration reads that Azerbaijan is a leader in Europe on the violation of freedom of press, the number of convicted and imprisoned journalists continues to grow and authorities do not investigate crimes against journalists. “We demand an end to this and the release of convicted and imprisoned journalists”

Appeal on behalf of Azerbaijani Civil Society
The freedom of speech situation in Azerbaijan has been deteriorating ever since the 2 March 2005 murder of Monitor Magazine Chief Editor Elmar Huseynov. Physical and moral violence and terror against the mass media in various countries are the very reason that 3 May 2007 World Day of Press Freedom – Day of Journalists’ Security by UNESCO.

Because people that kill journalists remain unpunished, those who do not accept freedom of speech and expression have loosened their hands. The government, which is obliged to protect its citizens’ rights within the framework of the Constitution, demonstrates its inability to stop the attack on freedom of speech in the country.
 
Since the beginning of 2006 four journalists have been severely beaten, four journalists have been subjected to police violence, and seven journalists have been imprisoned, including five that remain in jail today. At this time the courts are considering criminal cases against seven newspapers on the basis of libel and insult of honor and dignity lawsuits. In three of these cases the imprisonment of journalists is sought. Over 20 fines have also been adopted against independent and opposition newspapers since the beginning 2006 on the basis libel and insult of honor and dignity claims. The combined total of all of these fines put together exceeds 350,000 USD.

The usage of slander and provocation to arrest journalists is a new threatening signal. This includes, in particular, the fabricated case against satirist Mirza Sakit (Zahidov), who was charged with sale and distribution of a narcotic, and usage of the subject of national security and the protection of national interests in the case of Eynulla Fatullayev. Such methods demonstrate dangerous tendencies and threats to civil society. The issue of national security is very important and serious and cannot be subjected to speculation to discredit journalists and newspapers. A government that proclaims loyalty to democratic principles must not use such methods to justify journalists’ arrests.

Those opposed to freedom of speech continue to use the criminal prosecution of journalists under the context of defamation and insult of honor and dignity as an important instrument to punish journalists. All attempts by international organizations to persuade Azerbaijan’s authorities to cease the criminal prosecution of journalists have brought no results. Azerbaijani authorities do not wish to bid farewell to such means of suppression of free-thinking.

We, representatives of civil society, refuse to resign ourselves to this and urge the authorities to put an end to the intimidation, prosecution and violence against journalists, to conduct   investigations and punish people to blame for physical violence against journalists, to bring to responsibility judges that adopt illegal decisions on the arrest of journalists and the fining of newspapers, to abolish the criminal penalties for defamation and insult of honor and dignity, to suspend the hearing of suits against journalists and newspapers in courts on the basis of the Criminal Code, and to find and bring to justice the murderers of Elmar Huseynov.