Subject: [CivilSoc] Azerbaijan Council of Europe Application
From: Center for Civil Society International (ccsi@u.washington.edu)
Date: Tue Jun 27 2000 - 18:09:00 EDT
From: Ilana Cravitz <ilana@article19.org>, Article 19
MAKE AZERI MEMBERSHIP CONDITIONAL, RIGHTS GROUP URGES COUNCIL OF EUROPE
.......................................................................
A law allowing jail terms of up to six years for insulting the
President is just one measure in urgent need of repeal as
Azerbaijan's application for membership is considered by the Council
of Europe.[1] ARTICLE 19 is urging that the legal and practical
impediments the government is still placing in the way of freedom of
expression are taken into account when deciding on membership
conditions.
Andrew Puddephatt, Executive Director of ARTICLE 19 said today:
"Despite some progress during the past few years, the media freedom
situation in Azerbaijan remains significantly worse than might be
concluded from the government's membership application. For example,
our analysis of the laws affecting freedom of expression shows that
fines of up to 400 times minimum salaries can be levied for "insult"
and a 6-year jail term is possible under a special Law on the Honour
and Dignity of the President."
Although the 1995 Constitution guarantees freedom of expression and
information and the censorship apparatus was formally abolished in
1998, there are at least six legal provisions which could be
challenged at the European Court of Human Rights. There are also a
number of recent cases where the government has taken direct action
to impede the distribution of publications and close down
broadcasters, and has failed to ensure that physical attacks against
journalists, both by officials and unidentified assailants, are
investigated.[2]
Puddephatt added: "We hope that the Council of Europe will take this
opportunity to ensure that the Azeri government implements the
necessary changes to law and practice in the area of freedom of
expression before full membership is granted."
ARTICLE 19 has laid out in a letter to the Council of Europe a number
of measures which are needed for Azerbaijan to comply fully with the
standards laid out in Article 10 of the European Convention on Human
Rights.
NOTES
1. The Legal Affairs Committee and the Political Affairs Committee of
the Council of Europe are considering Azerbaijan's membership
application this week.
2. For further information about abuses of freedom of expression in
Azerbaijan contact Fiona Harrison at: europe@article19.org
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