Yesterday, 2 July, Media Rights Institute conducted a roundtable dedicated to problems in Azerbaijan created by the failure to adopt Law “On Defamation.” Media Rights Institute Director Rashid Hajili said that court trials conducted in connection with journalists in Azerbaijan do not conform to the experience of European Court of Human Rights, and judges adopt decisions using soviet regulations; therefore they appealed to international instances in connection with 20 (twenty) verdicts issued about journalists.
Lawyer Intigam Aliyev emphasized that among imprisoned journalists, the ECHR has only issued a decision about Rovshan Kabirli and Yashar Agazade to this day.
“In the near future a decision is expected on the case of Sarvan Rizvanov and Ramiz Najafov.”
“Yeni Nesil” Journalist Union Chairman Arif Aliyev said that the journalists began to lobby for the Law “On Defamation”.
“At present journalists’ signatures are being gathered,” said Arif Aliyev. “In fall an appeal will be made to the parliament in connection with this law.”
An international media forum is anticipated in November in Baku which will be dedicated to these issues, according to Aliyev.
Former parliamentarian Rizvan Jabiyev said that this was the right time to adopt the Law “On Defamation.”
“Although I was against this law before, I see great importance for its adoption,” added Jabiyev.
“In the near future a decision is expected on the case of Sarvan Rizvanov and Ramiz Najafov.”
“Yeni Nesil” Journalist Union Chairman Arif Aliyev said that the journalists began to lobby for the Law “On Defamation”.
“At present journalists’ signatures are being gathered,” said Arif Aliyev. “In fall an appeal will be made to the parliament in connection with this law.”
An international media forum is anticipated in November in Baku which will be dedicated to these issues, according to Aliyev.
Former parliamentarian Rizvan Jabiyev said that this was the right time to adopt the Law “On Defamation.”
“Although I was against this law before, I see great importance for its adoption,” added Jabiyev.