Subject: Azerbaijan vs. Independent TV-Radio
From: Center for Civil Society International (ccsi@u.washington.edu)
Date: Mon Feb 07 2000 - 02:41:06 EST
This message X-posted from the Article 19 list.
From: Ilana Cravitz <ilana@article19.org>
STATE TARGETS INDEPENDENT BROADCASTER AS AZERBAIJAN CONTINUES TO
WAIVE EUROPEAN STANDARDS
As President Heydar Aliyev considers whether to sign into law a new
media regime which has attracted international criticism, ARTICLE 19
today highlighted the plight of one of the few independent
broadcasters in Azerbaijan: Radio-TV Sara. Following the forcible
closure of the station last October, this week the authorities are
trying to confiscate the station's assets, including the antenna and
equipment worth over US$500,000, in lieu of a fine of US$50,000 which
the broadcaster is refusing to pay.
Fiona Harrison, Head of ARTICLE 19's Europe Programme said today:
"The continuing harassment of independent media shows that it is
still not possible in Azerbaijan to publicly express opinions which
run counter to those of the ruling power. We urge President Aliyev to
ensure that freedom of expression is guaranteed in law and respected
in practice."
A report from the Azeri Trade Union of Journalists (TUJo) catalogues
many incidents of violence and harassment by public officials
against media workers in 1999, as well as cases related to content
brought to court by public figures, one of which resulted in a prison
sentence for the journalist concerned.1
Fiona Harrison added:
"As an applicant for membership to the Council of Europe, Azerbaijan
needs to bring its law and practice into line with the European
Convention on Human Rights, which protects freedom of expression at
Article 10. Actions such as those outlined above are clear
infringements of this treaty, as well as all other international
standards, and represent a serious obstacle to Azerbaijan's chances
of acceptance for membership."
Although formal censorship was abolished in 1998 and there is a
constitutional guarantee of freedom of expression in Azerbaijan,
progress on media freedom has been slow. Now it is anticipated that
rather than bringing Azerbaijan into line with international
standards, the new Mass Media Law, which was approved by Parliament
in December 1999 but is now awaiting Presidential approval, will
increase opportunities for harassment. According to the international
Committee to Protect Journalists, although the new law formally
forbids censorship, it outlines several provisions that limit the
internationally-recognized right of journalists to practice their
profession.
For more information contact Fiona Harrison at ARTICLE 19 on +44 20
7278 9292. email: europe@article19.org
Note: ARTICLE 19 will be holding a seminar in Azerbaijan in 2000 to
address laws governing criticism of public figures.
Reply to:
Ilana Cravitz
Communications Officer
E-mail: ilana@article19.org
ARTICLE 19, The International Centre Against Censorship
33 Islington High St.
London N1 9LH
UK
Website: www.article19.org
Direct line: +44 20 7278 1355
Switchboard: +44 20 7278 9292
Fax: +44 20 7713 1356
General enquiries: info@article19.org
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