As of March 19 of this year, access to the Institute for Reporters’ Freedom and Safety Nakhchivan website www.nakhchivan.org.az. has been restricted from anywhere in Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic. High speed internet, higher than 100 kb, is required to have access to the website in Nakhchivan. However, internet’s speed in Nakhchivan is not higher than 50 kb which used to be enough to enter www.nakhchivan.org.az website before.
Although it is shown on the website that a restriction has been imposed upon the webpage by “Naxinternet” provider, Nakhchivan AR Communication and Information Technologies Ministry Internet Department rejects this fact. They say it is related to the low speed of the internet.
Note that imposing restrictions on independent and opposition press organs’ websites is observed frequently in Nakhchivan. “Naxinternet” provider restricted access to the websites of “Yeni Musavat” and “Bizim Yol” newspapers (May- June 2008), Radio Liberty – www.azadliqradiosu.az (15 June 2008 – 20 November 2008) and IRFS – www.nakhchivan.org.az.
Note that imposing restrictions on independent and opposition press organs’ websites is observed frequently in Nakhchivan. “Naxinternet” provider restricted access to the websites of “Yeni Musavat” and “Bizim Yol” newspapers (May- June 2008), Radio Liberty – www.azadliqradiosu.az (15 June 2008 – 20 November 2008) and IRFS – www.nakhchivan.org.az.