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THE INTERNATIONAL PARTNERSHIP GROUP FOR AZERBAIJAN EXAMINES THE FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION SITUATION IN THE COUNTRY
ARMENPRESS
MARCH 30, 2012
BAKU
BAKU, MARCH 30, ARMENPRESS: This report is a publication of the
International Partnership Group for Azerbaijan (IPGA), a coalition
of international organisations working to promote and protect
freedom of expression in Azerbaijan. It examines the freedom of
expression situation in Azerbaijan from the time of the IPGA's
joint mission to the country in September 2010 to March 2012.The
current state of freedom of expression in Azerbaijan is alarming,
as the cycle of violence against journalists and impunity for their
attackers continues; journalists, bloggers, human rights defenders
and political and civic activists face increasing pressure, harassment
and interference from the authorities; and many who express opinions
critical of the authorities - whether through traditional media,
online, or by taking to the streets in protest - find themselves
imprisoned or otherwise targeted in retaliation.Issues examined in this
report include: impunity for violence against journalists; political
use of the law to silence freedom of expression; restrictions on the
right to freedom of peaceful assembly; pressure against NGOs, human
rights defenders and lawyers; restrictions on the right to freedom
of information; the situation of freedom of expression online; state
control of the media; ethics, professionalism and self-regulation
of the media; and Azerbaijan's efforts to promote a positive image
abroad despite the freedom of expression problems in the country.To
address these problems and improve the freedom of expression climate
in the country, the IPGA has developed a series of recommendations
for the Azerbaijani authorities. These include: immediately releasing
those imprisoned for exercising their right to freedom of expression;
seriously investigating and prosecuting all acts of violence against
journalists; and decriminalising defamation, among many other
recommendations outlined in this report.This report is published
thanks to generous support from the United Kingdom Embassy in Baku.
ARMENPRESS
MARCH 30, 2012
BAKU
BAKU, MARCH 30, ARMENPRESS: This report is a publication of the
International Partnership Group for Azerbaijan (IPGA), a coalition
of international organisations working to promote and protect
freedom of expression in Azerbaijan. It examines the freedom of
expression situation in Azerbaijan from the time of the IPGA's
joint mission to the country in September 2010 to March 2012.The
current state of freedom of expression in Azerbaijan is alarming,
as the cycle of violence against journalists and impunity for their
attackers continues; journalists, bloggers, human rights defenders
and political and civic activists face increasing pressure, harassment
and interference from the authorities; and many who express opinions
critical of the authorities - whether through traditional media,
online, or by taking to the streets in protest - find themselves
imprisoned or otherwise targeted in retaliation.Issues examined in this
report include: impunity for violence against journalists; political
use of the law to silence freedom of expression; restrictions on the
right to freedom of peaceful assembly; pressure against NGOs, human
rights defenders and lawyers; restrictions on the right to freedom
of information; the situation of freedom of expression online; state
control of the media; ethics, professionalism and self-regulation
of the media; and Azerbaijan's efforts to promote a positive image
abroad despite the freedom of expression problems in the country.To
address these problems and improve the freedom of expression climate
in the country, the IPGA has developed a series of recommendations
for the Azerbaijani authorities. These include: immediately releasing
those imprisoned for exercising their right to freedom of expression;
seriously investigating and prosecuting all acts of violence against
journalists; and decriminalising defamation, among many other
recommendations outlined in this report.This report is published
thanks to generous support from the United Kingdom Embassy in Baku.