Azerbaijan Committee to Protect Journalists RUH
WEEKLY BULLETIN OF THE AZERBAIJAN COMMITTEE TO PROTECT JOURNALISTS
RUH
#34 01.12.2003 07.12.2003
SECRETARY GENERAL OF "REPORTERS SAN FRONTIERES" IN BAKU
DRAFT SUBMITTED TO PRESIDENT ADMINISTRATION
NEW CONTEST FOR JOURNALISTS
A SUIT BROUGHT AGAINST POLICE GENERAL
INQUEST AT PROSECUTOR OFFICE
WHETHER THE LETTER TO THE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS WILL HELP?
CONSIDERATION OF CLAIM POSTPONED
IN A LINE
NOVEMBER REPORT OF ACPJ "RUH"
SECRETARY GENERAL OF "REPORTERS SAN FRONTIERES" VISITED BAKU
On the first day of winter, Rober Mennar Secretary General of the international
organization Reporters San Frintieres, visited Azerbaijan. The 3-day visit
of him and contributor of this Organization Caroline Jerro is connected with
the numerous facts of violation of the rights of journalists in the 15-16 October
events. The first meeting of the guests was held with the lawyer of Rauf Arifoglu,
editor-in-chief of the Yeni Musavat newspaper, who is under examination, and
his brother. By the way, later, Mr. Mennar was given opportunity to meet the
editor-in-chief. He interested in the health of Arifoglu, familiarized with
the essence of the motives of accusation, as well as with the conditions of
his custody in the cell. Rober Mennar also had conversation with the acting
leaders of the opposition newspapers Azadlig, Yeni Musavat, Baku-Khaber,
Yeni Zaman, Hurriyyet. These editions experienced shortage of newsprint.
The editors brought to the notice of the International Organization that their
newspapers were not issued for a week just due to the artificial non-supply
of newsprint. There is newsprint in the country, but in the warehouses of state
publishing house and the CBS printing house. But there, the newsprint is sold
at 50 percent higher than the usual market prices, they said. The editions are
threatened by reapplication of the eliminated Value Added Cost and customs tariffs
for newsprint. Then, Secretary General of the International Organization met
the members of the Press Council of Azerbaijan. Discussed were perspectives
of development of journalism after the events connected with presidential elections.
Representatives of numerous parties and movements conditionally named pro-governmental
and opposition, as well as Members of Parliament from the ruling Party differently
commented both the facts of pressures on the journalists and motives of detention
and keeping under custody representatives of the printing media. In the course
of debates, the parties came to an opinion that indeed, there took place numerous
cases of violation of the rights of journalists, covering the 16 October clashes
between law enforcers and opposition. On the conclusions of his visit, Mr. Rennar
held a news conference on 2 December. He updated the journalists on results
of the meetings, including with the head of the socio-political department of
president Administration Ali Hasanov, Prosecutor General Zakir Garalov and Minister
of Internal Affairs Ramil Usubov. He stated that in any situation he backs the
journalists and also has wished that further the journalists had special equipment
in emergencies. Representatives of media should not be subject to arrests, and
there are other more intensive methods of investigating their activity, which
is not connected with their profession.
DRAFT SUBMITTED TO PRESIDENT ADMINISTRATION
The working group completed its work on new Draft On freedom of information,
MP, chairman of the parliamentary standing committee on legislation in the field
of mass media Rizvan Jabiyev told the Olaylar News Agency, on 2 December.
At his words, the Draft was sent tot eh judicial department of President Administration.
The Document was also sent to the international organizations, including the
Council of Europe.
NEW CONTEST FOR JOURNALISTS
The jury of the contest, organized by the State Committee on work with Azerbaijanis
living abroad, has published preliminary results of its activity. Over 20 competitors
presented their works for consideration and evaluation. The Diaspora has in
the last times representations almost on all continents, and its activity is
different, members of the jury stated. Therefore and the journalistic materials
have diverse thematic. The results of contest will be announced on 20 December.
A SUIT BROUGHT AGAINST POLICE GENERAL
On 4 December, the Committee to Protect Journalists "RUH", with power
invested in it, has brought a suit against the deputy chief of police of Baku,
major general of police Yashar Aliyev. The readers, probably, remember from
the previous issues of our Weekly, dated 8 September, in front of the chief
police department of Baku, were beaten some of our colleagues. Five of them:
Azer Rashidolgu, and Matin Yasharoglu from the newspaper "Zerkalo",
Khalig Bahadir from Azadlig, Khagani Safaroglu from "vropa" and
Rey Karimoglu from "Milli Yol", have insisted that they were beaten
personally by the deputy chief of the police department, while the rest refused
to give explanation. The Committee RUH addressed the Prosecutor General, the
latter to the City Prosecutor and the third, in its turn, to City police department,
who is directly guilty. There was launched an investigation and it appeared
that the journalists violated some rules connected with the public order. Then,
"RUH" decided to address the Nesimi district court for justice. The
experts understand that in similar cases, the judicial instances, usually for
corporative interests or just in any case back the police officers. Nevertheless,
it is considered the society needs to bring a suit against the medium and high
rank officials.
INQUEST AT PROSECUTOR OFFICE
On 4 December, first deputy editor-in-chief of the newspaper Yeni Musavat
Gabil Abbasoglu was called to the Prosecutor General Office. At the investigation
department on grave crimes he was asked related to his participation at the
16 October clashes. Investigator Eyvaz Yusifov interested in content of the
phone talk of Gabil Abbasogly with one of the accused. Relevant legislation
directly points at inadmissibility of hearing private talks. In addition, the
Law On mass media stresses cases when the source should be disclosed, and
also in the case of judicial investigation. It is prevention of especially dangerous
crimes, protection of human life and protection of interests of the accused.
The 16 October events cannot be referred to any of these cases. Besides Gabil
Abbasoglu, on this very day to the Prosecutor general was called the editor
of the newspaper Mukhalifet, Gambar Yusif.
WHETHER THE LETTER TO THE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS WILL HELP?
On 4 December, special representative of OSCE in the field of freedom of speech
Freimutt Duve sent a letter to the Foreign Ministry of Azerbaijan, whereby it
condemned the fact of arrest and keeping under custody at the special cell of
the editor-in-chief of the newspaper Yeni Musavat, Rauf Arifolgu. He expressed
particular concern on his affected health and conditions of maintenance. Besides,
the editor-in chief, using his civil rights took part at the hunger strike
of protest that also at all does not promote him to recover. "...The journalist
should never undergone arrest for professional duties... Possible way of solution
of the problem might be temporary release of Arifoglu down to completion of
the investigations concerning the degree of his participation in the said events",
summed up the diplomat.
CONSIDERATION OF CLAIM POSTPONED
On 5 December, again was postponed consideration of the claim of the ANS Company
against the newspaper "Yeni Musavat" and one of its constant authors,
professor Kamil Veli Narimanoglu. It is not such first decision, made by the
Sabael district court of Baku. Current year, in 11 courts in regard with the
aforementioned newspaper, preliminary sittings were postponed up to later times
and then, were pronounced judgment against the edition.
IN A LINE
On 5 December, at the Baku Press Club was held an incorporated session of NGOs
uniting in the coalition United Network. They want to adjust communications
of the non-governmental organizations and mass media.
On 5 December, at the Press Club Nizami, was held discussions related to
the coming campaign Mass media against smoking.
NOVEMBER REPORT OF ACPJ "RUH"
Report of the Committee to Protect Journalists for November 2003 was summed
up. In the period under review, was registered about 10 violations in the field
of mass media. Boyukaga Agayev, correspondent of the newspaper "Azadlig",
having accreditation, was not illegally admitted to the session of Parliament.
Aydin Guliyev, editor-in-chief of the newspaper "Baki-Khaber", was
subjected to psychological pressure by collaborators of the Prosecutor General.
The Sabael district court of Baku pronounced 4 judgments connected with writ
against the newspaper Yeni Musavat. Totally, the court fined the edition 52
million manta (approximately, 11 thousand USD). Cumulative fine in result of
consideration of the judicial claims against the printing med current month
amounted 165 million manat.
Several newspapers: Yeni Musavat, Azadlig, Yeni Zaman, Baki-Khaber
and Hurriyyet were not issued for almost a week due to shortage of newsprint.
Reference to the Bulletin of RUH is necessary.
Azerbaijan Committee to Protect Journalists RUH
__________________________________________________________________________
Azerbaijan Committee to Protect Journalists RUH
Azerbaijan Republic,
Baku, Nizami str., 121/11
Tel/fax: (99412) 982748
E-mail: ruh@internews.az
|