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Central Asia Remains Area of Concern on Press Freedom
Central Asian and Southern Caucasus Freedom of Expression Network
(CASCFEN), Azerbaijan
May 2 2005
CASCFEN, Baku, 02.05.2005 -- "Central Asia remains as an area of
concern for world press freedom as the 3 May World Press Freedom
Day approaches."
This is a passage from CASCFEN chairman's statement issued for 3 May
World Press Freedom Day.
Azer H.Hasret, a chairman of the Central Asian and Southern Caucasian
Freedom of Expression Network (CASCFEN), an organization uniting
press freedom associations throughout the region once more raised an
issue of press freedom on the eve of 3 May. He called on governments
of the region and international community to take necessary measures
to ensure freedom of the press and expression.
CASCFEN chairman said that some governments of the region still use
illegal means to restrict freedom of the press while some others
close their countries borders to prevent entering of foreign press.
"Turkmenistan remains as a country close to all types of dissent with
its president Saparmurat Niyazov who declared himself as a Turkmenbashi
- head of the all Turkmens. This country has no signs of independent
or opposition press. All media outlets are strictly controlled by
Turkmenbashi's close associates and no foreign newspapers are allowed
to be brought in", states Azer H.Hasret.
Further he stresses out that the next two countries - Tajikistan and
Uzbekistan also fail to follow international norms to create necessary
environment for free and fair press. "These countries' governments are
far from modern understanding of human rights including basic one -
freedom of the press", said Hasret.
In regard to other Central Asian states - Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan -
Hasret stated that the people of these countries can enjoy freedom of
the press partly but they also are far to be counted free countries:
"Governments of both countries use illegal means to block access
to information, journalists and media are frequently targeted by
authorities. Kazakhstan experiences blockade of "hostile" web sites
as does Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan".
According to Hasret situation in three South Caucasus countries
which are part to the network is better than in Central Asia but far
from ideal.
"Georgia achieved comparatively portion of press freedom after "rose
revolution" but situation needs to do more for real freedom in this
field", stressed out CASCFEN chairman.
Regarding Azerbaijan and Armenia, two conflicting neighbor countries
over Nagorno Karabakh, Hasret said that attacks on journalists,
self-censorship and targeting media outlets is widely used in both
parts which creates environment of fair for free press. "We'd remind
that for the first time in Azerbaijan journalist was ordered to be
killed and his murderers still not found. We hope that the government
of this country will find the murderers of Elmar Huseynov, prominent
outspoken journalist who was killed on March 2, 2005".
"It is duty and obligation of governments to provide freedom of the
press in full and ensure safety of journalists to experience their
profession", said Azer H.Hasret.
Central Asian and Southern Caucasus Freedom of Expression Network
(CASCFEN), Azerbaijan
May 2 2005
CASCFEN, Baku, 02.05.2005 -- "Central Asia remains as an area of
concern for world press freedom as the 3 May World Press Freedom
Day approaches."
This is a passage from CASCFEN chairman's statement issued for 3 May
World Press Freedom Day.
Azer H.Hasret, a chairman of the Central Asian and Southern Caucasian
Freedom of Expression Network (CASCFEN), an organization uniting
press freedom associations throughout the region once more raised an
issue of press freedom on the eve of 3 May. He called on governments
of the region and international community to take necessary measures
to ensure freedom of the press and expression.
CASCFEN chairman said that some governments of the region still use
illegal means to restrict freedom of the press while some others
close their countries borders to prevent entering of foreign press.
"Turkmenistan remains as a country close to all types of dissent with
its president Saparmurat Niyazov who declared himself as a Turkmenbashi
- head of the all Turkmens. This country has no signs of independent
or opposition press. All media outlets are strictly controlled by
Turkmenbashi's close associates and no foreign newspapers are allowed
to be brought in", states Azer H.Hasret.
Further he stresses out that the next two countries - Tajikistan and
Uzbekistan also fail to follow international norms to create necessary
environment for free and fair press. "These countries' governments are
far from modern understanding of human rights including basic one -
freedom of the press", said Hasret.
In regard to other Central Asian states - Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan -
Hasret stated that the people of these countries can enjoy freedom of
the press partly but they also are far to be counted free countries:
"Governments of both countries use illegal means to block access
to information, journalists and media are frequently targeted by
authorities. Kazakhstan experiences blockade of "hostile" web sites
as does Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan".
According to Hasret situation in three South Caucasus countries
which are part to the network is better than in Central Asia but far
from ideal.
"Georgia achieved comparatively portion of press freedom after "rose
revolution" but situation needs to do more for real freedom in this
field", stressed out CASCFEN chairman.
Regarding Azerbaijan and Armenia, two conflicting neighbor countries
over Nagorno Karabakh, Hasret said that attacks on journalists,
self-censorship and targeting media outlets is widely used in both
parts which creates environment of fair for free press. "We'd remind
that for the first time in Azerbaijan journalist was ordered to be
killed and his murderers still not found. We hope that the government
of this country will find the murderers of Elmar Huseynov, prominent
outspoken journalist who was killed on March 2, 2005".
"It is duty and obligation of governments to provide freedom of the
press in full and ensure safety of journalists to experience their
profession", said Azer H.Hasret.