Attack on Free Press Carried out from Presidential Administration - Gulaliyev

Baku / 18.01.18 / Turan: Azerbaijan is not a free country, coordinator of the Center for the Protection of Political Prisoners Ogtay Gulaliyev said, commenting on the Freedom House report.

"Azerbaijan is justifiably included in the list of non-free countries, because civil society is practically squeezed out, independent NGOs are practically banned, free press is strangled, and people are persecuted or pursued in various ways," he said in an interview with the Turan program Chetin Sual (Difficult Question).

Azerbaijan is among the world leaders in terms of the number of convicted journalists. Out of 161 political prisoners, about 15 are journalists and bloggers. In addition, up to 30 websites are blocked on the territory of Azerbaijan.

"All this shows that there is no media freedom in Azerbaijan, and total attacks on freedom of speech continue. All this is managed from the Presidential Administration and entities and individuals close to it. To change the situation in the country, this problem should be solved," Gulaliyev said.

Is the international community's attention sufficient for the human rights issue in Azerbaijan?

Answering this question, Gulaliyev said that international organizations periodically note violation of human rights in Azerbaijan, state disrespect for democratic values, persecution of people because of their political views, calling for an end to this.

"But this is not enough, I think we need to use more effective means. For example, the kidnapping of the journalist Afgan Mukhtarly in Tbilisi was noted by the US State Department, the European Parliament and other authoritative structures. However, if the kidnapping of a journalist is carried out at the level of state bodies, it is wrong to limit oneself to statements only. I think that serious measures and sanctions should be taken against those who are involved in the abduction of Mukhtarly and sanctioned his arrest.

I believe that international organizations should respond more adequately to the ongoing processes in Azerbaijan, including arrests and repressions," Gulaliyev said. -03C06--