Azerbaijan, Baku/ Trend , corr. A. Ismayilova/ Ziyafat Asgarov, the First Vice-Speaker of the Azerbaijani Parliament of the Milli Majlis, has told journalists today that Articles on slander, libel and insult should not be withdrawn from the Criminal Code of Azerbaijan Republic.
He considers that different international organizations may advise Azerbaijan to withdraw these articles, but libel and insult have become commonly-spread in Azerbaijan's mass-media. "These Articles of our Criminal Code are a constraint. Just imagine what will happen if we fully remove these articles," he said.
Mr. Asgarov is confident that there are quite enough laws in Azerbaijan that regulate freedom of press, and that there is no particular necessity to pass the Bill - "On Defamation". According to the First Vice-Speaker of the Country, even if this bill is passed, it cannot solve the issue with pres in the country.