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European Parliament Concerned by Worsening of Human Rights Situation and Freedom of Media in Azerbaijan

Society Materials 7 April 2008 12:51 (UTC +04:00)

Azerbaijan, Baku, 7 April / corr Trend K.Ramazanova / The European Parliament expressed its serious concerns in connection with the worsening of the human rights situation and freedom of media in Azerbaijan, Katrina Saks, the European Parliament Committee on human rights and foreign relations stated in Baku on 7 April.

"We are very concerned about the worsening of the human rights situation, independence of media and freedom of media in this region," Kaks said.

The three detained journalists held in Azerbaijan are Ganimat Zahid, chief editor of Azadlig newspaper, Mirza Sakit, a journalist of Azadlig newspaper, and Eynulla Fatullayev, chief editor of Gundalik Azerbaijan and Realni Azerbaijan newspapers.

On 26 March, Eynulla Fatullayev, editor-in-chief of Gundalik Azerbaijan and Realniy Azerbaijan newspapers, went on a hunger strike in demand for objective consideration of his case, release of the arrested journalists and for concrete protection measures to be applied by the Council of Europe and OSCE.

The journalists, representatives of political parties and MPs have also joined the hunger strike for the last five consecutive days in support of the editor-in-chief.

The Government of Azerbaijan, however, does not agree with the critics regarding the situation with the media and human rights. "We will not pardon journalists because of pressure received from international organizations. However, we may pardon the journalists only through the request of the Council of Press and journalist organizations of Azerbaijan. Should that be the case, we hope that the journalists will learn from their mistakes," Ali Hasanov, the Head of the Public-Political Department of Azerbaijan Presidential Administration, briefed the media on 7 April in Baku

The ruling New Azerbaijan Party (NAP) considers that the journalists who are on hunger strike are used as a tool for foreign forces to put pressure on Azerbaijan. "Someone is attempting to cast a shadow on Azerbaijan in accordance with their plans," the NAP Executive Secretary, MP Ali Ahmadov, briefed the media on 7 April.

According to Ahmadov, the Government of Azerbaijan considers that the freedom of expression and press is being carried out in the Country. In addition, the Government has demonstrated its will to further develop the press in Azerbaijan. "However, if various press representatives have been punished in accordance with the law, it is not necessary to direct this as an action against freedom of expression and press," Ahmadov added. He considers that a special campaign has been organized to form bias against Azerbaijan.

The correspondent can be contacted at: [email protected]

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