Law 15:19 06/12/2014

OSCE representative on freedom of media: Ismailova’s arrest is nothing but orchestrated intimidation

OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Dunja Mijatović released a statement condemning the arrest of the Azerbaijani independent investigative journalist Khadija Ismailova. The statement is posted on OSCE official website.

“The arrest of Ismailova is nothing but orchestrated intimidation, which is a part of the ongoing campaign aimed at silencing her free and critical voice,” she said. Mijatović also urged the Azerbaijani authorities to stop that practice calling it “detrimental to media freedom.”

The statement proceeds on enumerating the recent cases of arrests and lengthy prison sentences handed down to journalists and free speech advocates in Azerbaijan. Namely, Rasul Jafarov, free speech advocate, on charges of abuse of power and tax evasion;
Seymur Hazi, columnist for Azadliq newspaper, on a charge of hooliganism;
Omar Mamedov and Abdul Abilov, bloggers, on charges of illegal storage and sale of drugs; Parviz Hashimli, journalist, on charges of smuggling and illegal storage and sale of firearms; Nijat Aliyev, editor-in-chief of azadxeber.org news website, on various charges, including drug possession and incitement of hatred; Sardar Alibeyli, editor-in-chief of P.S. Nota newspaper, on charges of hooliganism; Rashad Ramazanov, an independent blogger, on charges of illegal storage and sale of drugs, and others.

Another condemning statement regarding the arrest of Ismailova was posted on the official website of the Human Rights House Foundation.

“This sentence does not come as a surprise: we assumed the authorities wanted to silence Khadija Ismailova,” Maria Dahle, Executive Director of the Human Rights House Foundation, said.

“The arrest has a chilling effect: one must now consider that every independent civil society leader in Azerbaijan is a target and can be arrested at any given time for any charge, as ludicrous as one can imagine,” she added calling on the international community and especially the Council of Europe to “get a foot in the door” to stop the repression, including by stopping further cooperation with Azerbaijan's authorities.
The statement notes that Khadija Ismailova was arrested the day after the head of the Presidential Administration Ramiz Mehdiyev published a lengthy article in which he extensively refers to freedom of expression organisations, as well as Meydan TV with which Khadija Imsailova has cooperated. In his article Ramiz Mehdiyev specifically calls Khadija Ismailova out as “wishing to please her foreign bosses.”
In case Ismailova is convicted, she may get up to seven years in prison.
The President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), Anne Brasseur has also expressed her concerns on the arrest of the Azerbaijani journalist Khadija Ismayilova, reads the PACE official site.
“Khadija Ismayilova is one the long-standing partners of the Council of Europe. I met her in my office in Strasbourg during the Assembly’s last part session and I was shocked by the information she provided to me regarding pressure and intimidation exercised against her, as well as other human rights defenders in Azerbaijan. Taking into account the recent arrests of prominent human rights defenders – many of whom are valuable partners of the Council of Europe – I have to express my deep concern at her arrest,” Anne Brasseur said.

PACE president notes that as a member state of the Council of Europe, Azerbaijan must respect the standards of the ECHR.

“I urge the competent authorities of Azerbaijan to ensure that the standards of the Convention are respected in any judicial and legal proceedings against Ms Ismayilova as well as against other human rights activists”, declared PACE President.
 



Source Panorama.am
Share |
Տեքստում սխալ կամ վրիպակ նկատելու դեպքում, ուղարկեք խմբագրին հաղորդագրություն` նշելով տվյալ սխալը, այնուհետև սեղմելով Ctrl-Enter:

Newsfeed

17:05
Expert: Aliyev's statements serve Pashinyan's domestic political goals
In a televised interview in early 2025, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev made fresh threats against Armenia. However, the Armenian leadership...
16:30
Yerevan mayor announces new changes to transport fares
Yerevan Mayor Tigran Avinyan has announced changes to the city's public transport fares that will be approved at the upcoming City Council...
16:00
Pashinyan 'shocked' by deadly ski resort fire in Turkey
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has expressed shock over the devastating hotel fire at a ski resort in Turkey's Bolu...
15:35
15 candidates self-nominated for Chamber of Advocates Council
Fifteen candidates have self-nominated for the Council of Armenia's Chamber of Advocates. The election will take place at its general...
15:00
New head of Armenian parliament health committee named
The pro-government majority in the Armenian parliament on Wednesday elected MP Arsen Torosyan as new head of the Standing Committee on Health...
14:36
MP: Turkey and Azerbaijan assessing risks of new aggression against Armenia
Tigran Abrahamyan, an MP from the opposition Pativ Unem faction in the Armenian parliament, claims that Donald Trump's return to the White...
13:53
Public transport fare increase in Yerevan based on outdated calculations, expert says
Babken Pipoyan, head of the Informed and Protected Consumer NGO, has criticized the upcoming increase in public transport fares in Yerevan,...
13:10
Expert calls for replacement of Armenian ambassador to U.S.
Political analyst Suren Sargsyan has urged Armenia’s authorities to appoint a new ambassador to the United States under the Donald...
12:34
Alexander Sirunyan withdraws candidacy for SJC membership
Alexander Sirunyan on Wednesday officially withdrew his candidacy as a member of the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC), Lurer quoted Hayk...
12:12
National Gallery of Armenia opens exhibition on Artsakh
An exhibition of Yerevan-based artist Lousineh Navasartian's Silence project has opened at the National Gallery of Armenia....
11:36
Lobbyist for genocide denialist Turkey should donate earnings to Armenians
By Harut Sassounian www.TheCaliforniaCourier.com Former Cong. Bob Livingston published a commentary in the Wall Street Journal last week...
11:20
Drivers warned of icy roads in parts of Armenia
The Rescue Service has warned drivers about a road closure and icy conditions in Armenia. In particular, the road connecting the Amberd high...
11:12
Armenia offers condolences to Turkey over deadly ski resort fire
The Armenia Foreign Ministry has extended condolences to Turkey following the deadly fire at a ski resort hotel that killed at least...
17:00
Newmag to publish Henrikh Mkhitaryan's autobiography
Newmag will release Armenian football star Henrikh Mkhitaryan's autobiography this year, its founder Artak Aleksanyan has...
16:35
Russia's Lavrov announces plans to visit Armenia
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov announced his plans to visit Yerevan following talks with Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat...
16:21
Discussions on Minsk Group dissolution underway, Armenian speaker says
Discussions are underway regarding the dissolution of the OSCE Minsk Group, Armenian National Assembly Speaker Alen Simonyan told reporters on...
15:45
Trump orders US to leave WHO
US President Donald Trump has signed an executive order to begin the process of withdrawing the US from the World Health Organization...
15:30
Temperatures to drop further in Armenia
Dry weather is expected across Armenia throughout this week. The capital Yerevan will also see no precipitation in the coming days....
15:00
Lavrov calls Armenia Russia's natural strategic partner, ally
Yerevan is Moscow’s natural strategic partner and ally, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said during talks with his Armenian...
14:30
Armenia has no plans to quit EAEU, parliament speaker says
Armenia has no plans to leave the Moscow-led Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), National Assembly Speaker Alen Simonyan claims. “The EAEU...
13:53
Armenian, Russian FMs hold talks in Moscow
The meeting between Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan and his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov in enlarged format has...
13:35
Ex-minister calls for abolishing asset declaration in Armenia
Economist Mesrop Arakelyan, a former minister of labor and social affairs, has called for the cancellation of Armenia’s...
13:00
Mirzoyan congratulates Marco Rubio on his confirmation as US secretary of state
Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan has congratulated Marco Rubio on his unanimous confirmation as U.S. Secretary of State....
12:36
Kindergarten fire in Armenian town forces evacuation of 117 children
A fire broke out at a kindergarten in Spitak, a town in Armenia’s Lori Province, on Tuesday morning. Two fire and rescue crews were...
12:12
Opposition councilor accuses Yerevan authorities of 'shadowy dealings and favoritism'
The opposition Mother Armenia faction of the Yerevan City Council has called an extraordinary session today to discuss the upcoming...
11:46
Henrikh Mkhitaryan celebrates 36th birthday
Inter Milan midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan is celebrating his 36th birthday today. The Football Federation of Armenia and Inter have extended...
11:23
Hotel fire at Turkey ski resort kills at least 10
A fire broke out at a hotel at a ski resort in northwestern Turkey on Tuesday, killing at least at least 10 people and hospitalizing 32 others,...
11:06
EU delegation briefed about situation on Armenian-Azeri border
The EU Mission in Armenia (EUMA) hosted EU Ambassador to Armenia Vassilis Maragos last week. "The EU delegation was briefed about the...
17:00
Armenian FM to travel to Moscow
Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan will pay a working visit to Moscow on January 21, his ministry reports. During the...
16:30
37 police officers sacked in Armenia last year
43 police officers in Armenia faced disciplinary action In 2024. Among them, 3 officers received a reprimand, 3 were issued a severe...

Follow us and get updates!

Most popular articles

{"core.blocks.header.spell_message1":"Selected mistake: ","core.blocks.header.spell_message2":"Send a message about the mistake?"}