CE calls Azerbaijan to unban BBC, Voice of America, RL/RF, etc.

Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe, Thomas Hammarberg has delivered a report voicing concerns over cases of threats, harassment, and violence against journalists or human rights activists in Azerbaijan and many other human rights violations. 

Following a visit carried out in March, the report focuses on freedom of expression and association, conduct of law enforcement officials, administration of justice, and contains some observations on the visit to the Autonomous Republic of Nakhchivan, said on the official CE web-site.

“Freedom of expression is curtailed in Azerbaijan today - major improvements are needed,” said Thomas Hammarberg.

“The authorities must better protect, from any sort of violence, journalists and others who may express critical opinions. The perpetrators of such acts should be adequately punished,” he said stressing that “anyone imprisoned because of views or opinions expressed, including Eynulla Fatullayev, Emin (Mili) Abdullayev and Adnan Hajizadeh, should be released immediately”.

Furthermore, the Commissioner underlines that decriminalisation of defamation is needed to bring the legislation in conformity with European standards.

He also said of the non-enforcement of domestic court judgments. “Adequate measures should be adopted to ensure the implementation of final judgments within a reasonable time and the respect of fair trial guarantees,” he said.

As regards the situation in the Autonomous Republic of Nakhchivan, the Commissioner emphasized that involuntary placement in psychiatric institutions should be allowed only by court decisions issued on the basis of a medical assessment.

While recognising the need to promote professionalism of journalists, the said of the existing black-list of racketeering newspapers, published by the Press Council, and urged the Azerbaijani authorities to reconsider this practice. Furthermore, Thomas Hammarberg recommended that the authorities allow BBC, Radio Liberty/Radio Free Europe, Voice of America and Europa Plus radio stations to resume broadcasting on FM waves.