OSCE media freedom representative criticizes police violence against journalists in Azerbaijan

The OSCE Representative on freedom of the Media,   Dunja Mijatovic, said today she was concerned over the excessive use of   force against journalists by riot police during a recent public protest in   Baku.

Several reporters were harassed and prevented from doing their job during a   demonstration on 12 January against the deaths of young Azerbaijani army   conscripts.

"I condemn all violence against media workers as serious obstacles to   pluralism and media freedom. I ask the Azerbaijani authorities to investigate  this incident and take measures to prevent similar incidents in the  future," said Mijatovic.

Among the affected journalists were Objectiv TV correspondent Radim Aliyev,  RFE/RL reporter Vusala Alibayli, Azadliq newspaper correspondent Islam  Shikhali, as well as a journalist from deyerler.org news portal. Emin  Huseynov, Chair of the Institute for Reporters' Freedom and Safety (IRFS),  who was also at the demonstration, was pushed to the ground by a policeman.

"I am particularly concerned that the journalists were mistreated even  though they were wearing reflective vests, clearly identifying them as  journalists," said Mijatovic in letter sent today to Azerbaijani foreign  and interior ministers.

"This incident also shows that we need to continue our joint activities,  such as the training course my office organized for police officers and  journalists in Baku last November to promote standards in the safety of  reporters," she added. This was the first such training course financed by  the Government of Azerbaijan and held jointly with the Press Council of  Azerbaijan.-0-