The indifference of society encourages the authorities to further attacks on the press

A climate of impunity for crimes against journalists leads to self-censorship in the media and in society, further suppression of freedoms, and persecution of dissidents. This was the keynote of the roundtable: "It is high time to put an end to impunity," organized on Friday in the office of the Institute for Reporters’ Freedom and Safety.

The event was dedicated to the International Day against Impunity marked on November 23. According to Emin Huseynov, the IRFS Director, this international day was established a year ago and ironically coincided with the death of the famous Azerbaijani journalist Rafiq Tagi as a result of attack.

More than 200 incidents of physical attacks on journalists were reported over the past seven years; two  journalists were killed, and dozens were injured. None of these crimes have been solved or prosecuted,  and it encourages opponents of free press for new attacks on journalists, in order to silence critical voices.

Director of the agency Turan, Mehman Aliyev, reminded that the International Day Against Impunity is noted due to mass killings of journalists in 2009 in the Philippines, and expressed the opinion that "this is a belated decision. Maybe it would be better to have established this day 20 years ago to attract international attention to the issue of impunity for crimes against journalists? "

"The authorities blame the journalists, seeing them as a source of trouble. However journalists do not create events, they only cover them, and sometimes even warn readers about them. And if they were listened to, it would be possible to avoid many of the negative processes," said Aliyev.

Pressure on the press continues, despite the fact that already 99% of the media are controlled by the government. Observers have noted a decrease in comments of political materials on the Internet, which also indicates the pressure on the government on-line publications and social networks.

As for killing of Tagi, the journalistic community conducted its own investigation. It found that no adequate investigation was conducted to find the killers, and doctors did nothing to save the life of Tagi. As for the motives for the murder, Aliyev noted that the crime was committed at a time when the question of the adoption of the law of defamation was discussed, and the OSCE conducted an active dialogue with the government. The murder of Tagi was used by shareholders in the government, to once again say, "society is not ready to adopt a law on defamation and otherwise over the journalists begin such violence." Aliyev said that the 2006 arrest of Tagi was motivated by security due to threats from Islamists.

The next victim of the persecution of the free press has become Khadija Ismayilova, who was subjected to moral harassment in the pro-government media and interference with privacy. Social solidarity to counter this provocation blocked another round of attack on the free press. "I think we came out of this phase, with less losses," said Aliyev, not excluding the possibility of a new wave of anti-press for the upcoming presidential elections in 2013.

He called on journalists, bloggers, and active users of social networks to mobilize to resist the joint attack on freedom of speech and expression. "Next year will be very difficult," said Aliyev, expressing optimism that this period will be followed by a period of positive change.

Director of the Publishing House "Qanun" Shahbaz Khuduoglu, speaking about the death anniversary of Tagi, expressed the opinion that he became a victim of indifference among colleagues and society. If there was a large-scale campaign of support and solidarity with Tagi, the doctors of the city clinical center would not be so negligent, and the result of a serious crime would be investigated. He expressed doubt that the murder of Elmar Huseynov and Tagi would be disclosed, even if the power changes.

The journalist Khadija Ismayilova believes that one of the causes of impunity for crimes against journalists is the intolerance on the part of not only of the government, but also the different groups of the society. In particular, Iranian ayatollahs are guilty for the death of Tagi, no matter what forces have committed a crime, and the Islamists in Azerbaijan supported the persecution and threats of Tagi. This gave rise to justify the murder of Tagi. Ismayilova stressed that she meant radical Islamists, and not all Muslims.  Threats from Islamists also help self-censorship, since some political forces follow them. 

Ismailova said that when a provocation was made against her, the Islamic Party, the elders of  Nardaran and religious human rights organization, DEVAMM,  condemned it. If they condemned the harassment of Rafiq Tagi, the organizers of this crime would not dare to kill, she said.

With regard to the investigation on the invasion of privacy of Ismaylova, she said that from the beginning  she did have illusions about the investigation. "My goal is to conduct my own investigation, to expose the lies and shame to the world, and make a pity that they have committed it," said Ismailova.

Together with her colleagues she found the camera and wires in her apartment, and found a phone wizard who named the man who installed hidden cameras in her house. Now the investigation must find this man.

Through the American courts, information was received to identify those who put the video on the Internet.

The meeting resulted in adopting a statement, demanding to disclose all crimes against journalists, to stop their campaign of harassment and intimidation, to immediately release from prison nine journalists and three activists of civil society.—06C-