Azerbaijan, baku, 28 March / Trend corr. K.Ramazanova / Anne E. Derse, the United States Ambassador in Azerbaijan, believes that a dialogue should be created for fair information environment between the Azerbaijani State and press.
"The pressure on independent and opposition journalists should be stopped in Azerbaijan, and the Government needs to hold dialogue with public and press," Derse said during the meeting with the family of Ganimat Zahid, detained chief editor of Azadlig newspaper.
Today, there are three detained journalists in Azerbaijan, Ganimat Zahid, detained chief editor of Azadlig newspaper, Mirza Sakit, journalist of Azadlig newspaper, and Eynula Fatullayev, chief editor Gundalik Azerbaijan and Realni Azerbaijan. Zahid and Fatullayev launched hunger strike from 28 March.
Derse said the independent press is necessary for democracy in the country. No pressure is acceptable towards journalists in the democratic society. Derse believes that nobody could tackle such issues through launching hunger strike.
"We support persons willing to see development of strong democracy in the country, as it is one of teb key issues for Azerbaijan's future. In this case Azerbaijan may become the best partner for the United States," Derse stated.
Azar Ahmadov, the director of Azadlig newspaper, stated that other political prisoners will also join the hunger strike launched by arrested journalists from 5 April.