NILS MUIZNIEKS AND THORBJøRN JAGLAND CONDEMN AZERBAIJANI AUTHORITIES FOR KHADIJA ISMAILOVA'S ARREST
12:20 10/12/2014 Â" SOCIETY
Commissioner for Human Rights Nils Muižnieks condemns Azerbaijani
authorities for the arrest of the journalist. In his statement made
on December 9, he said that the fact of arrest of Khadija Ismailova, a
well-known journalist and long-term partner of his office, confirms its
concern that human rights defenders and other civil society activists,
who cooperate with the Council of Europe, are repressed in Azerbaijan.
"I strongly condemn her arrest and consider it as another manifestation
of a selective use of criminal law against those who criticize the
government," said Nils Muižnieks, stressing that in just a few hours
before her arrest Ismayilova contacted the office of the Council of
Europe on a case of another journalist.
Secretary General of the Council of Europe Thorbjørn Jagland, condemns
the arrest of the journalist and demanded her immediate release.
"There was no need for this arrest. This is a bad message to
Azerbaijani civil society and the international community. This is an
indicator of how difficult the conditions are for the independent media
and civil society in the country, and is contrary to international
obligations undertaken by Azerbaijan," he said in his statement on
9 December.
On December 5, morning, well-known Azerbaijani journalist Khadija
Ismayilova was detained after being questioned at the prosecutor's
office. Baku Sabail District Court made a decision to detain her for
two months. She was charged with incitement to suicide. If the fault
of the journalist is proven, then she can be punished by a term of
3 to 7 years in prison. Khadija Ismayilova has become the target of
attacks of the government for her journalistic activities. Ismayilova
is an author of a number of journalistic investigations of corruption
in the highest echelons of power in Azerbaijan. In recent years, she is
conducting a talk show in the Azerbaijani Service of "Radio Liberty".
http://www.panorama.am/en/region/2014/12/10/nils-muizhnieks-ismailova/
12:20 10/12/2014 Â" SOCIETY
Commissioner for Human Rights Nils Muižnieks condemns Azerbaijani
authorities for the arrest of the journalist. In his statement made
on December 9, he said that the fact of arrest of Khadija Ismailova, a
well-known journalist and long-term partner of his office, confirms its
concern that human rights defenders and other civil society activists,
who cooperate with the Council of Europe, are repressed in Azerbaijan.
"I strongly condemn her arrest and consider it as another manifestation
of a selective use of criminal law against those who criticize the
government," said Nils Muižnieks, stressing that in just a few hours
before her arrest Ismayilova contacted the office of the Council of
Europe on a case of another journalist.
Secretary General of the Council of Europe Thorbjørn Jagland, condemns
the arrest of the journalist and demanded her immediate release.
"There was no need for this arrest. This is a bad message to
Azerbaijani civil society and the international community. This is an
indicator of how difficult the conditions are for the independent media
and civil society in the country, and is contrary to international
obligations undertaken by Azerbaijan," he said in his statement on
9 December.
On December 5, morning, well-known Azerbaijani journalist Khadija
Ismayilova was detained after being questioned at the prosecutor's
office. Baku Sabail District Court made a decision to detain her for
two months. She was charged with incitement to suicide. If the fault
of the journalist is proven, then she can be punished by a term of
3 to 7 years in prison. Khadija Ismayilova has become the target of
attacks of the government for her journalistic activities. Ismayilova
is an author of a number of journalistic investigations of corruption
in the highest echelons of power in Azerbaijan. In recent years, she is
conducting a talk show in the Azerbaijani Service of "Radio Liberty".
http://www.panorama.am/en/region/2014/12/10/nils-muizhnieks-ismailova/