Azerbaijan, Baku, Dec. 20 / Trend T.Hajiyev /
Azerbaijani Vice- Parliamentary Speaker Bahar Muradova regards transferring the authorities on media issues to the Ombudsman's Office appropriate.
"In my opinion, it is important to take steps to address the problem. The question of who will exercise these powers is not so important," Muradova told Trend.
She said the transferring of the Press Envoy's authority to the Human Rights Ombudsman will constitute an excessive load. Muradova sees no serious differences between the powers of two ombudsmen.
"It is impossible to draw a line between the operations of these powers. These powers intersect, and sometimes are transformed into each other. In this regard, the management of human rights affairs by one center is more appropriate. There will be no duplication, some authority will start where the other will end, or their powers will be just a continuation of each other. I think the concentration of powers in one hand is normal," Muradova said.
She also believed the transfer of the Press Envoy's authority to Human Rights will not cause difficulties in the activities of the Ombudsman.
"Given the possibility of a Human Rights Ombudsman, I think there will be no difficulties. There could be deputies as part of the apparatus of the Ombudsman. Individuals may carry out practical work in this area. However, the Ombudsman should take responsibility for overall management. The main thing is to organize work such that it doesn't stop and grant it the appropriate authority to solve problems in this area. Today we provide these powers, " Muradova said.
On Dec.8 at a joint meeting the parliamentary human rights, legal policy and state-building committees discussed a bill on transferring media powers to the human rights commissioner. The bill was recommended for consideration at a meeting of parliament.
The Azerbaijani Press Council opposes transferring media power to the ombudsman. In this regard, the council has sent an appeal to President Ilham Aliyev.
Azerbaijani Presidential Administration Department head Fuad Alasgarov believes transferring the authorities on media issues to the Ombudsman's Office is a reasonable move.