Representative Of U.S. State Department Called On Azerbaijani Author

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REPRESENTATIVE OF U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT CALLED ON AZERBAIJANI AUTHORITIES TO INVESTIGATE ALL FACTS OF PRESSURE ON JOURNALISTS

17:14 27/09/2013 " REGION

"The legislative Internet restrictions by Azerbaijan, including
criminal penalties for libels, are a further erosion of freedom of
expression in a country where a few journalists and bloggers are
arrested or sentenced to imprisonment," Deputy Assistant Secretary
of State for Democracy and Human Rights Thomas Melia stated in Warsaw
on September 25, the Azerbaijanii news agency "Turan" reports.

According to the agency, Melia addressed to the OSCE representatives
and reminded that journalists like Khadija Ismayilova continue to be
subjected to harassment and persecution. There are few more bloggers
that are still in a similar situation.

"We urge the authorities to investigate all these facts, as well
as the problems cropped up with the broadcast of Radio "Liberty"
in Azerbaijan and other Azerbaijani media," Melia said.

The agency reminds that at the beginning of September, the authorities
of Azerbaijan refused to receive the U.S. State Department delegation
headed by Thomas Melia to Baku. Melia had sharply criticized Baku
for violations of rights and freedoms of the citizens earlier.

Source: Panorama.am