(ARTICLE 19/IFEX) – The following is an ARTICLE 19 press release: 27 June 2000 – for immediate release MAKE AZERI MEMBERSHIP CONDITIONAL, RIGHTS GROUP URGES COUNCIL OF EUROPE A law allowing jail terms of up to six years for insulting the President is just one measure in urgent need of repeal as Azerbaijan’s application for […]
(ARTICLE 19/IFEX) – The following is an ARTICLE 19 press release:
27 June 2000 – for immediate release
MAKE AZERI MEMBERSHIP CONDITIONAL, RIGHTS GROUP URGES COUNCIL OF EUROPE
A law allowing jail terms of up to six years for insulting the President is just one measure in urgent need of repeal as Azerbaijan’s application for membership is considered by the Council of Europe(1). ARTICLE 19 is urging that the legal and practical impediments the government is still placing in the way of freedom of expression are taken into account when deciding on membership conditions.
Andrew Puddephatt, Executive Director of ARTICLE 19 said today:
“Despite some progress during the past few years, the media freedom situation in Azerbaijan remains significantly worse than might be concluded from the government’s membership application. For example, our analysis of the laws affecting freedom of expression shows that fines of up to 400 times minimum salaries can be levied for “insult” and a 6-year jail term is possible under a special Law on the Honour and Dignity of the President.”
Although the 1995 Constitution guarantees freedom of expression and information and the censorship apparatus was formally abolished in 1998, there are at least six legal provisions which could be challenged at the European Court of Human Rights. There are also a number of recent cases where the government has taken direct action to impede the distribution of publications and close down broadcasters, and has failed to ensure that physical attacks against journalists, both by officials and unidentified assailants, are investigated(2).
Andrew Puddephatt added:
“We hope that the Council of Europe will take this opportunity to ensure that the Azeri government implements the necessary changes to law and practice in the area of freedom of expression before full membership is granted.”
ARTICLE 19 has laid out in a letter to the Council of Europe a number of measures which are needed for Azerbaijan to comply fully with the standards laid out in Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights.
Notes
1. The Legal Affairs Committee and the Political Affairs Committee of the Council of Europe are considering Azerbaijan’s membership application this week.
2. For further information about abuses of freedom of expression in Azerbaijan contact Fiona Harrison on europe@article19.org.
