The expert condemns calls for Internet regulation

The  calls to regulate the Internet   are made for the purpose to  block the "Meydan TV" Web resources and "Sancaq,"  said the  Director of the Media Rights Institute Rashid Hajili.

"Such a proposal   on legislative initiative by deputy, and even a representative of the ruling party, is not surprising. However, it must be justified,  and the cause and the purpose of this steps should be noted," said Hajili. He recalled that this campaign began at a meeting of the Milli Majlis, when the deputy

Malahat Ibrahimgizi urged to punish these online resources for "insults."

However, these issues have been reflected in national legislation. "The authors of these appeals should know that  in Azerbaijan is the most draconian law on libel and insult. In addition, these same deputies distributed in 2013  the Articles 147 (slander) and 148 (insult) on the Internet too," said Hajili.

On the other hand, the Criminal Code has rules on the protection of the territorial integrity and security of the state, the punishment for incitement to terrorism, hatred, war, pornography, protection of honor and dignity of the president, and this also applies to the Internet. At least, the prosecutor's office has long    use  these standards.

However, the regulation should not be carried out under the banner of protecting "national and spiritual values" and should not be used  against  the resources criticizing the authorities. In general, there is not a legal concept of "national and spiritual values." If the means  the protection  from  porn, then this falls under incitement to hatred and hostility, interference in private and family life, said Hajili.-06D-