On November 25, 2011, an appeal against court decisions on combined lawsuits of “Objective Television and Radio Broadcasting Company” LLC founders Emin Huseynov, Mehman Aliyev, and Rasul Jafarov against the National TV and Radio Council (NTRC) was submitted to the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR).
The appeal notes the violation of the applicants’ right for freedom of expression envisaged in Article 10 of European Convention on Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms.
The applicants request that the appeal be heard as a priority case up to the presidential elections of 2013 in Azerbaijan. The international organizations are expected to join this request as well.
Media Rights Institute Director Rashid Hajili are representing the applicants’ rights in the ECHR.
BACKGROUND
On November 25, 2010, the National TV and Radio Council announced a competition for opening of new radio station on the 103.3 FM frequency. Three companies participated in the competition: Objective TV and Radio Broadcasting Company LLC, Golden Prince LLC and individual Rasul Jafarov. Golden Prince LLC was announced as the winner. The plaintiffs appealed directly to the Appeals Court due to the requirements of the legislation. Neither the Appeals Court nor the Supreme Court fulfilled the appeal.
BBC radio was broadcast on the 103.3 frequency until 2009 – on January 1, 2009, the broadcasting of BBC, Voice of America, and Radio Liberty on local frequencies was suspended.