OSCE Media Representative concerned about continued harassment of media in Azerbaijan
VIENNA, 4 February 2003 - The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Freimut Duve, expressed his alarm today at the continuing use of defamation suits against independent newspapers in Azerbaijan and the growing frustration of journalists there trying to deal with intensified pressure on the independent media.
"I am concerned that the authorities in Azerbaijan, a member of the OSCE family which is publicly committed to democratic values, appear to be reluctant to take measures to change an unsatisfactory media situation in the country," Mr. Duve said. "In a democracy, writing about the activities of public servants is part of a journalist's professional duties. It is my firm belief that no special protection should be afforded to public officials. They should exercise a greater level of tolerance toward criticism than ordinary citizens."
On 6 December 2002, Mr. Duve requested urgent clarification on the issue from Azerbaijan's Foreign Minister, Vilayat Guliyev, but has so far not received any reply.
Mr. Duve previously underscored his concern not only in his intervention with the Foreign Minister but also in his quarterly report to the OSCE Permanent Council on 12 December 2002. There he noted the excessive number of libel suits filed against one opposition newspaper, Yeni Musavat: "In recent months, the newspaper has had to face no fewer than 13 lawsuits brought against it, lawsuits which could be used to close down the newspaper, to confiscate its property and to bring criminal cases against its employees," Mr. Duve said.
The editor of Yeni Musavat, Rauf Arifoglu, reported that his paper was hit by three fines totalling 100,000 euros. Several hundred journalists demonstrated in the streets of Baku on 12 December, and a number of journalists and human rights activists staged a hunger strike in Azerbaijan last month.
"I am also very disturbed by the growing use of libel legislation in a number of other OSCE participating States," Mr. Duve added. He said that he was considering sponsoring a project on the subject, including a possible roundtable to be held later in 2003.