Media Rights Institute (MRI) has strongly condemned the amendments to the legislation establishing criminal penalties for defamation on the Internet adopted by Parliament on May 14.
MRI considers that these penalties are one of the means to stifle freedom of expression.
"The presence of these Articles 147 and 148 of the Criminal Code is contrary to the decisions of the Council of Europe, and especially in the case law of the European Court of Human Rights on freedom of expression," reads the statement of the MRI.
Moreover, according to the president of Azerbaijan, the National Program for Strengthening the Protection of Human Rights and Freedoms approved in 2011, proposals to decriminalize defamation should be prepared in 2012.
However, despite this, the Azerbaijani Parliament has toughen penalties for libel and slander.
IPM regards it as a regress and violation of the obligations of the government.—16/06D--
Politics
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At the trial of the opposition politician Tofig Yagublu, the statement of Elnur Vaqifoglu, another accused, was heard at the Baku Serious Crimes Court.
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EU Reporter sadly announces the death from natural causes this week of its Political Editor Nick Powell, whilst attending the Global Media Forum in Susha, Azerbaijan.
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The health of economist Fazil Gasimov, who is on hunger strike for the 43rd day, has deteriorated sharply. On the night of July 26, he was transferred from the Baku pre-trial detention center-1 to a medical institution of the Penitentiary Service, the economist's brother Nazim Gasimov told Turan.
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On July 26, the trial of public activist Bakhtiyar Hajiyev continued in the Baku Serious Crimes Court. Three witnesses were heard. One of them said that she had once asked Hajiyev for help in obtaining a visa for a tour to the Czech Republic and had no other business with him. At the same time, the witness stressed that she did not personally transfer the money, but made a transfer for the service.
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