The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Dunja Mijatovic, expressed deep concern about proposed amendments to the Criminal Code of Azerbaijan which would keep defamation as a criminal offence and extend its reach to online media.
"The National Action Plan on Human Rights that was decreed by the President Aliyev in 2006 prescribes steps to decriminalize defamation. The amendments, proposed by the Prosecutor General, go in the opposite direction. In addition, I am especially concerned about the provision to include all publicly accessible online resources," Mijatovic said.
"I call on the government of Azerbaijan to keep its promise to continue the process to decriminalizing speech offences," Mijatovic said. "My office is ready to further assist in this process."
The current law provides for up to three years in jail for criminal defamation convictions. The OSCE office in Baku and the press council of Azerbaijan, supported by the Office of the Representative on Freedom of the Media, has been working since 2006 on decriminalizing defamation in Azerbaijan. -0-
Politics
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The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Moldova has decided to unilaterally terminate the Moldovan-Russian agreement from 1998 on the creation and operation of cultural centers.
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By the order of the head of state, Rufat Mahmud has been appointed the new head of the historical and architectural reserve "Icheri Sheher" – the historic center of Baku.
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On February 13, the Appeal Court did not satisfy the defense's appeal against the decision of the Khatai Court regarding the arrest of journalist Shahnaz Beylargizi. According to the lawyer, the journalist herself did not participate in the trial due to poor health. The defense intends to submit a petition to replace the arrest with house arrest.
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Azerbaijan will limit 'Sputnik Azerbaijan' and 'BBC News Azərbaycanca' editorial offices. This was reported by the country's pro-government media on 13 February, citing an informed source.
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