On Press Day, Azerbaijani journalists drew the attention of the Council of Europe to the problems of media in the country

Baku/22.07.23/Turan: On National Press Day, a large group of Azerbaijani journalists and activists appealed to the governing bodies of the Council of Europe to express their concern about the negative consequences of the application of the new media law, which came into force in February 2022.

"The position expressed by local experts even before the adoption of the law on its incompatibility with the Constitution of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the provisions of the European Convention on Human Rights protecting the right to freedom of speech and the media was confirmed in the opinion published by the Venice Commission of the Council of Europe in June 2022. According to the Commission's conclusion, the law does not meet the standards of the Council of Europe at all, and the application of such a law in any of the countries that are members of the Council of Europe is unacceptable," the authors of the appeal remind.

After the conclusion of the Venice Commission, the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, in its resolution adopted in December 2022, demanded to amend the law without delay.

"We deeply regret that the positions and opinions expressed regarding the reactionary content of the law threatening freedom of speech and the media were not taken into account. The application of the law practically turns journalism into a licensed activity. This is how a unified state register of mass media and journalists is created, unified journalistic certificates are issued, and only compliance with these requirements is recognized legal journalistic activity. This has a negative impact on the activities of independent media and free journalism," the appeal further notes.

Information about the register is closed, however, according to incomplete information, at least 50 media outlets were refused entry into the register. On the other hand, the courts do not make fair decisions regarding the media, which appeals against the refusal to be included in the register.

Appeals of media leaders and journalists to the Constitutional Court regarding the verification of compliance of the law with the Constitution of Azerbaijan are also not considered.

"Unfortunately, the implementation of such rules does not bring Azerbaijan closer to the European family, where fundamental rights and freedoms prevail, and turns it into a country where the fragile remnants of freedom of speech and the media are under threat," the appeal further emphasizes. The authors regret to note the inaction of the Council of Europe on the facts of restriction of freedoms in the member States.

"This causes an atmosphere of distrust in Azerbaijani society and the media towards the activities of such an institution as the Council of Europe.

Azerbaijan ranks 154th among 180 countries in the Reporters Without Borders Media Freedom rating. The adoption and implementation of this law will further complicate the media environment in Azerbaijan and turn it into a serious problem for journalists. Despite this, the pressure on freedom of speech and expression in Azerbaijan continued to increase, and journalists are still in prison," the appeal continues.

After the introduction of the restrictive Media Law, independent journalists were not allowed to film the protest action.

On March 14, 2023, in the Saatli region, local residents demanding better water supply were convicted. 

Also, problems were created for journalists covering environmental protests of local residents in the village of Seyudlu of the Gedabey region.

A number of state institutions refuse to respond to information requests from journalists and media outlets that have not been included in the Media Register.

"We, the media representatives who signed this petition, strongly urge the Government of Azerbaijan to remind it of its obligations regarding membership in the Council of Europe, to demand that it amend the Law on Media in order to avoid causing incurable wounds to freedom of speech and the media, and to put on the agenda the freezing of Azerbaijan's membership in the Council of Europe until these problems are resolved," it says In conclusion, the appeal addressed to PACE, its monitoring committee and co-rapporteurs on Azerbaijan, the EU Commissioner for Human Rights. The appeal was signed by more than 60 journalists, media experts, civil society activists. ---06B---