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FREEDOM HOUSE: WIDESPREAD DECLINES ON DEMOCRACY IN AZERBAIJAN
Aysor
June 30 2010
Armenia
The Freedom House has released the 14th edition of comprehensive,
comparative study of democratic development in 29 countries from
Central Europe to Eurasia, entitled "Nations in Transit 2010."
The survey focused on trends in national democratic governance,
judicial framework and independence, electoral process, corruption,
independent media, etc. The report showed that 10 countries regressed
in media independence in 2009, half of those in new EU member states.
"In 2009, Kyrgyzstan experienced a wave of attacks against independent
journalists and a decrease in the ability of news media to criticize
government policies. Kazakhstan failed to liberalize its media law
in keeping with its commitments to the Organization for Security and
Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), and the use of libel suits to punish
investigative journalists continued to mar the country's record
on press freedom. While Russia's Internet generally retains a good
deal of openness, on several fronts the authorities are insinuating
themselves into the medium. The effort includes the acquisition of
blogging platforms and popular Web sites by Kremlin-friendly companies
and the emergence of commentators and provocateurs who subvert online
discourse," said in the press release.
Here are some pieces in relation to Azerbaijan:
"No election in Azerbaijan has been assessed as free and fair since
the adoption of the country's constitution in 1995. Irregularities
have included the abuse of administrative resources, intimidation and
harassment of the opposition, and election day violations. The March
2009 referendum approving controversial constitutional amendments
was criticized by opposition parties as deeply flawed. No opposition
parties are represented in election commissions at any level. The lack
of media independence has undermined the fairness of Azerbaijani polls
and thwarted public debate. Municipal elections held in December 2009
were perceived to be marred by violations and fraud.
"There was significant pressure against human rights defenders,
independent media outlets, and watchdog organizations during the year.
Youth activists were also targeted, including two young bloggers who
were detained in July 2009 and sentenced to prison terms on apparently
trumped-up charges."
According to report, Armenia's electoral process rating remains at
5.75; civil society rating remains at 3.75; independent media rating
remains at 6.00; local democratic governance rating remains at 5.50;
judicial framework and independence remains at 5.50; and corruption
rating remains at 5.50.
From: A. Papazian
Aysor
June 30 2010
Armenia
The Freedom House has released the 14th edition of comprehensive,
comparative study of democratic development in 29 countries from
Central Europe to Eurasia, entitled "Nations in Transit 2010."
The survey focused on trends in national democratic governance,
judicial framework and independence, electoral process, corruption,
independent media, etc. The report showed that 10 countries regressed
in media independence in 2009, half of those in new EU member states.
"In 2009, Kyrgyzstan experienced a wave of attacks against independent
journalists and a decrease in the ability of news media to criticize
government policies. Kazakhstan failed to liberalize its media law
in keeping with its commitments to the Organization for Security and
Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), and the use of libel suits to punish
investigative journalists continued to mar the country's record
on press freedom. While Russia's Internet generally retains a good
deal of openness, on several fronts the authorities are insinuating
themselves into the medium. The effort includes the acquisition of
blogging platforms and popular Web sites by Kremlin-friendly companies
and the emergence of commentators and provocateurs who subvert online
discourse," said in the press release.
Here are some pieces in relation to Azerbaijan:
"No election in Azerbaijan has been assessed as free and fair since
the adoption of the country's constitution in 1995. Irregularities
have included the abuse of administrative resources, intimidation and
harassment of the opposition, and election day violations. The March
2009 referendum approving controversial constitutional amendments
was criticized by opposition parties as deeply flawed. No opposition
parties are represented in election commissions at any level. The lack
of media independence has undermined the fairness of Azerbaijani polls
and thwarted public debate. Municipal elections held in December 2009
were perceived to be marred by violations and fraud.
"There was significant pressure against human rights defenders,
independent media outlets, and watchdog organizations during the year.
Youth activists were also targeted, including two young bloggers who
were detained in July 2009 and sentenced to prison terms on apparently
trumped-up charges."
According to report, Armenia's electoral process rating remains at
5.75; civil society rating remains at 3.75; independent media rating
remains at 6.00; local democratic governance rating remains at 5.50;
judicial framework and independence remains at 5.50; and corruption
rating remains at 5.50.
From: A. Papazian