Human rights organisations welcome PACE resolution, call for sustained monitoring efforts
The organisations are concerned by the widespread human rights abuses that persist nearly 10 years after Azerbaijan’s accession to the European Convention of Human Rights.
Thirty IFEX members and 38 other organisations call on government to stop politically-motivated prosecutions of journalists
Independent journalists, including Taoufik Bouachrine and Ali Amar, are increasingly being targeted by the authorities.
PACE should adopt resolution on the functioning of democratic institutions in Azerbaijan, say human rights organisations
The resolution is part of the report of the Committee on the Honouring of Obligations and Commitments by Member States of the Council of Europe on the functioning of democratic institutions in Azerbaijan.
IRFS sends appeal to Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly summer session participants
IRFS wrote to the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly about the freedom of expression situation in Azerbaijan, which has deteriorated since the country became a member of the Council of Europe:
IRFS appeals to president as imprisoned editor starts hunger strike
Eynulla Fatullayev said that he began the hunger strike to determine whether or not the president is aware of the ECHR decision in his case.
Thirty-one IFEX members call on Philippine leadership to champion Freedom of Information Act
IFEX members have joined SEAPA in urging the president to sign the FOI Act into law before the current administration leaves office.
Twenty-six IFEX members join the Pakistani Federal Union of Journalists in condemning suicide bombings
The organisations appeal to the leaders of the Taliban, to the jihadist movements and to Al-Qaeda in Pakistan to put a stop to all further suicide bombings in public gatherings.
IRFS pays respect to journalist Elmar Huseynov on World Press Freedom Day
“Is there a need for state regulation on the Internet?” is the topic of an IRFS roundtable discussion.
Several journalists assaulted by police during demonstration
An action conducted by the Azadlig bloc to protest against the violation of freedom of assembly is marked by violence against journalists.
European Court of Human Rights orders journalist’s release
The ECHR ruled that Article 10 (freedom of expression) and 6 (right to a fair trial) of the European Convention on Human Rights had been breached in the case of journalist Eynulla Fatullayev.
IRFS concerned over decision to transfer bloggers to different prisons
Imprisoned blogger Adnan Hajizade has been transferred to Prison #14, in Gizilbash settlement, while Emin Milli is expected to be transferred to Prison #5 in Salyan region.
IRFS releases 2009 annual report
Problems related to Azerbaijan’s press and independent mass media remained unsolved during 2009.
UN Human Rights Council: 40 IFEX members reject “defamation of religions” resolutions
In a joint submission to the UN Human Rights Council, 40 IFEX members protest resolutions on defamation of religion and the proposed elaboration of complementary standards to the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination.
Editor granted presidential pardon, released from prison
In 2008, Ganimat Zahid was convicted of trumped-up charges of hooliganism and intentional infliction of minor bodily harm.
Eynulla Fatullayev’s appeal rejected
The Baku Appellate Court rejected the editor’s appeal against the verdict to prolong his detention for two more months.
Imprisoned editor concerned over possible threat to his life
Eynulla Fatullayev believes that heroin possession charges against him constitute the first stage in an assassination plan.