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In the new report of the international human rights organization Freedom House “Freedom of the Press 2016,” Azerbaijan is among the countries of the “not free” category. Receiving 89 points out of 100, Azerbaijan ranks the 189th among 199 countries. The rating is published on the website of the organization.

Freedom House experts give a total press freedom score to 199 countries from 0 (best) to 100 (worst). The total score determines the status designation on three subcategories: Free, Partly Free, or Not Free.

As for the press freedom situation in Azerbaijan, it is noted that the country declined significantly compared to its position in the 2015 rating due to so far unsolved murder of the journalist Rasim Aliyev, as well as increased restrictions on foreign journalists surrounding the European Games in June.

In addition, it is emphasized that in Azerbaijan, journalists covering high-level corruption face harsh legal repercussions, including imprisonment on spurious charges.

“Authorities in Azerbaijan not only tightened legislative restrictions on media in 2015, but also targeted individual journalists for legal and extralegal persecution. The staff of the online station Meydan TV faced administrative and physical harassment by officials throughout the year, as did members of their families,” the human rights organization's report reads.

It is also noted that spurious criminal cases against several reporters culminated in alarmingly lengthy prison terms, while other journalists were victims of violent attacks. It is reminded that Rasim Aliyev, an independent reporter and human rights activist, died in August after being brutally beaten.

In addition, it is noted that the authorities released several journalists and bloggers along with other political prisoners in March 2016, but prominent journalist Khadija Ismayilova remains behind bars. “The government’s hostile policies toward critical media show no signs of genuine change,” the Freedom House notes.