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In the report “Freedom On The Net-2013” released today by the international human rights defending organization Freedom House Armenia is among the free countries while Azerbaijan among semi-free countries.

Internet freedom status in 60 countries is estimated by 100 point system, the bigger the points the worse situation in the country. In the new report Armenia has received 29 points, Georgia 26, Azerbaijan 52. Iceland, Estonia, Germany, USA, Australia, France and Japan have been recognized the freest countries this year. The rating is concluded by Ethiopia, Syria, China, Cuba and Iran.

Turkey, as it was last year, is recognized semi-free country with 49 points.

The situation in Azerbaijan is worse than in Bangladesh, Ruanda and Uganda.

The organization notes that Azerbaijan practices “authoritarian network” policy, something between the freedom and censorship. Though the censorship is not practiced openly those expressing critical views in the Internet may be subjected to persecutions and blackmailing.

According to the document Azerbaijani authorities fight against Internet activity by three main ways: demonization of online technologies, (once psychiatrist stated on the Azerbaijani TV that the Social network users are mentally ill), imposing fear leading to self-censorship and arrests of online activists.

“From 2012 to 2013 the number of attacks on opposition website and arrests of online activists in Azerbaijan increased, alongside an increase in the use of ICTs to mobilize protests against the government,” the report says.

In 2012 to 2013 there were seven lawsuits against various opposition newspapers and their journalists and five of these cases were related to their online activity. Slandering is the main accusation that is presented to the journalists in Azerbaijan, the organization notes.

“In attempt to suppress the criticism and the freedom of expression the Azerbaijani authorities use fabricated accusations against the journalists, which do not refer to their work directly. Seven journalists and two human rights activists were arrested in April 2013,” the report reads.

As for Armenia, according to the report, the situation during the last years has improved significantly. No sites are blocked, no users are limited of access to any information.

“Self-censorship in the network is almost not practiced in Armenia. Government and the ruling elite avoid of implementing illegal measures against the publication of any content in the internet published by the opponents or the independent Media,” the organization notes.

In 2012 the report Freedom On The Net there was no section about the freedom of internet in Armenia. Azerbaijan was among the semi-free countries again.