![Harlem Désir](https://turan.az/resized/media/2018/main/081000012352-750-500-resize.webp)
Harlem Désir
OSCE media freedom representative seriously concerned about blocking of Internet in Azerbaijan, urges reform to laws and regulations affecting media
Baku/11.08.18/Turan: Following the recent blocking of news websites due to allegations of defamation in Azerbaijan, the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Harlem Désir today urgently called on the authorities to reform the laws and regulations affecting media and to encourage pluralistic debate on all issues of public importance, both off- and online.
"Blocking websites is an extreme measure which may stifle critical voices, particularly when instigated by highly problematic defamation claims. It impedes on the public"s right to access information and negatively impacts media pluralism and free expression," Désir said.
According to reports, on 7-8 August, upon the request of the Ministry for Transportation, Communications and New Technologies, the district courts in Baku ruled to block four news websites, namely az24saat.org, xural.com, arqument.az and monitortv.info. Reportedly, the authorities claim that certain articles published and reproduced on these online platforms contain defamatory statements, including with regard to high-level officials.
"Any restrictive measure affecting media can only be justified in accordance with international standards, based on clear, strictly precise, legally predictive and non-discriminatory criteria. In the absence thereof, such measures and practices would impinge on a wide array of rights, including those closely associated with freedom of expression and media freedom," Désir said.
Earlier, on 22 December 2017, the Representative shared his concern with the authorities regarding the continued state blocking of the websites of newspaper Azadliq (azadliq.info), the Azerbaijan service of RFE/RL (azadliq.org), as well as the news portals Azerbaycan Saati (azerbaycansaati.com and azerbaycansaati.tv), Meydan TV (meydan.tv) and Turan TV (kanalturan.com) in the country.
On 23 July, Désir requested that the authorities clarify the reasons and legal grounds for the recent blocking of the online platforms Bastainfo.com, Criminalaz.com, Topxeber.az and Fia.az. He also expressed concern about the fact that several online media outlets belonging to APA holding, one of the biggest media groups in the country, simultaneously went offline as of August 2018 (see tweet: twitter.com/OSCE_RFoM/status/1026413313830342657).
"I call on government officials to restore access to all blocked news websites and reform the laws and regulations affecting the freedom of expression," Désir said.
The Representative"s previous statements calling for the decriminalization of defamation in Azerbaijan are available at: https://www.osce.org/fom/282286 and https://www.osce.org/fom/102413. This is reported by the office of the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media
Politics
-
At the early elections to the Milli Majlis on September 1, 806 people applied to the district election commissions to become candidates for deputies, the head of this structure Mazahir Panahov told at today's meeting of the Central Election Commission (CEC). According to him, the nomination of 532 candidates has already been approved.
-
The trial of public activist Bakhtiyar Hajiyev continued in the Baku Serious Crimes Court on Friday. The court heard testimony from the secretary of the Yasamal district court session about the conflict between Hajiyev and the victim Ulviya Muradova (Alovlu) two years ago. He stated that Hajiyev and Muradova insulted each other, and Hajiyev hit her "several times".
-
Economist Fazil Gasimov, who is on hunger strike for the 35th day, has been transferred to the medical and sanitary unit of the Baku pre-trial detention center-1, lawyer Rovshana Rahimova told Turan on the afternoon of July 19.
-
The Tbilisi-based Institute for the Protection of Rights and Freedoms issued a statement in connection with the ban to Afghan Sadigov, the founder of the Azerbaijani website Azel.tv on travel from Georgia to third countries to the founder of the Azerbaijani website Azel.tv. The statement of the organization, established in 2018 by a group of Azerbaijani political emigrants, notes that Sadigov moved to Georgia in connection with the repression in Azerbaijan against human rights defenders, journalists and opposition activists.
Leave a review