Human rights organization criticized the media bill

Baku/22.12.21/Turan: The draft law "On Media" is reactionary, and if  the parliament adopts it,  then the already difficult situation for the media, freedom of speech and expression in the country will be further aggravated. And in fact, the expression of alternative and critical opinions will be prohibited by law. This is stated in the statement of the human rights organization "Line of Defense", circulated on December 22.

The organization called on the government and parliament to comply with the requirements of Article 10 (freedom of expression) of the European Convention on Human Rights and Articles 47 (freedom of thought and freedom) and 50 (freedom of information) of the Constitution of Azerbaijan and be guided by the goals of developing free journalism.

The authors of the document remind that freedom of media, speech, thought and information are the main attributes of a democratic system and a rule of law.

The Defense Line is deeply concerned that the parliament adopted the draft law in the second reading without preliminary public discussions, expertise of media specialists, the Venice Commission of the Council of Europe, the OSCE Office for Freedom of the Media.

The organization calls on the parliament to suspend the process of adopting the bill and ensure its revision with the participation of local and international experts. — 06B-