CASCFEN, Baku, 22 Jul 2008 – In a letter to the President of Azerbaijan Mr. Ilham Aliyev Vienna based International Press Institute’s Director David Dadge has called him to mark the National Press Day of Azerbaijan with making possible a release of four imprisoned journalists. The text of the letter provided below provides more details:
“The International Press Institute (IPI), the global network of editors, media executives and leading journalists in over 120 countries, calls on Your Excellency to mark 22 July, Day of Azerbaijan’s National Press, by releasing imprisoned journalists Eynulla Fatullayev, Mushfiq Huseynov, Qanimat Zahid and Sakit Zahid.
Over recent years, Azerbaijan has earned the unenviable reputation of being among the world’s worst jailors of journalists. At least six media workers are currently serving prison sentences in Azerbaijan and, in all of the cases quoted above, allegations of inconsistencies in the judicial process or of fabricated charges have been voiced by many in Azeri civil society.
This victimisation of Azeri journalists by the State, culminating in their unjust imprisonment, has been recognised by domestic and international human rights organisations.
On 14 July 2008, the Press Council of Azerbaijan appealed for the release of imprisoned journalists Sakit Zahid, Qanimat Zahid and Eynulla Fatullayev. This appeal was reinforced in a 20 June 2008 resolution passed at the fifth Congress of Journalists of Azerbaijan, which also called for their release.
On 2 July 2008, IPI issued an open letter calling on Your Excellency to release all four of the imprisoned journalists mentioned above, as well as to address the deteriorating press freedom environment in Azerbaijan and outline plans to ensure that the situation improves.
On 24 June 2008, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, the continent’s foremost authority on human rights and an organisation of which Azerbaijan is a member, passed Resolution 1614 (2008), which contained heavy criticism of the press freedom climate in Azerbaijan and demanded the immediate release of Sakit Zahid, Qanimat Zahid and Eynulla Fatullayev.
Your Excellency, despite these and the many other appeals on their behalf, critical journalists such as Sakit Zahid, Qanimat Zahid, Eynulla Fatullayev and Mushfiq Huseynov continue to be imprisoned in Azerbaijan for practicing their profession.
IPI reminds you once again that freedom of the press is necessary in a fully functioning democracy and that, by accepting a free press, one must also be willing to accept critical journalism. IPI therefore once more calls on Your Excellency to take the opportunity of the Day of Azerbaijan’s National Press to signal your commitment to freedom of the press and pardon the imprisoned journalists.”
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