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On Tuesday, the Institute for Reporter Freedom and Safety unveiled its annual report, entitled “Journalist Safety and Press Freedom in the Republic of Azerbaijan.”  The report consists of 7 pages, including 6 different sections and pictures. According to the report, in 2006 press freedom in the Republic of Azerbaijan deteriorated and attacks against journalists increased. (23-JAN-07)

The night from the 19-th to the 20-th of January 1990 became one more black page in the history of Republic of Azerbaijan. On this night 131 innocent people were killed and 250 injured by the Russian punitive force which entered the Azerbaijani border in tanks to suspend the people’s will to independence. Republic of Azerbaijan, mourning on Shehids (Martyrs) at the 17-th anniversary of that awful night, recognizes it to be the crucial night leading to independence. (20-JAN-07)

In 2006 Annual Report of Human Rights Watch, there is given a comprehensive report on the human rights situation in the Republic of Azerbaijan, including a special section on media freedom problems in the Republic of Azerbaijan. “Journalists, particularly those associated with opposition publications, face violence and criminal charges” says the report, listing the cases of assaults to journalists. (15-JAN-07)

Yesterday, January 13, Bakhtiyar Hajiyev, a youth activist, Chairman of the local branch of the international youth organization AIESEC (http://www.aiesec.org ) was arrested by the police. He is reported to have been kept in the isolation confinement of the Narimanov district police office (Baku city). (14-JAN-07)

“Journalists were subjected to constant and very strong pressure. I hope these problems will be resolved in 2007 and fundamental freedoms, including freedom of press, will be observed” said Robin Seaword, acting head of OSCE office in the Republic of Azerbaijan. OSCE is deeply concerned about the latest attacks on journalists. (13-JAN-07)

Having documented a number of incidents in which journalists were seriously assaulted by unknown actors, including the most recent assaults on Ali Orujov and Nijat Huseynov, Amnesty International launched the Campaign. The Campaign includes the action of sending courteous letters in Azeri, Russian, English, Turkish or your other language on the concern about the attacks on Ali Orujov and Nijat Huseynov to urge the police and prosecution authorities to provide information to the general public on the scope, methods, findings and progress of investigations into attacks on journalists. (12-JAN-07)

The decision of the Tariff Council of Republic of Azerbaijan on the 7-th of January 2007 has become a real New Year surprise for Azerbaijani population. The increase of the price for electric energy to more than 3 times and for petrol to 50% influenced the tariffs of all other categories. Such a decision of the State Organ was explained by the intention to approach to the standards of the international market, which collapsed the fragile plans of the Azerbaijani population for better living. (09-JAN-07)

The brutal attack on Nijat Huseynov, a journalist of the leading opposition daily Azadlig, caused concern of the Reporters Without Borders. Nijat Huseynov was beaten and stabbed by four assailants as he was leaving his home to go to work in Baku on 25 December. The recent anonymous phone calls with threats allow thinking about the link between his work and attack. (04-JAN-07)

At the end of 2006 there were released some official figures concerning the activities of the Ministry of Justice and Milli Mejlis (the National Parliament). According to the statistics, there are totally over 2,300 registered NGO-s and 2,800 mass media outlets in the Republic of Azerbaijan. Milli Mejlis adopted 154 laws and took 21 decisions in 2006 and according to the Speaker of the Parliament Ogtay Asadov (on the right) “This year parliament completely fulfilled its legislative function reflected in the constitution”. (30-DEC-06)