Lawmakers blast Obama over media record remarks
Azerbaijani lawmakers directed pounding criticism at
US President Barack Obama at a parliamentary session on Friday,
following the White House leader`s critical remarks on freedom of
speech in Azerbaijan.
In a speech made on the occasion of May 3, World Press Freedom Day, Obama said journalists face pressure, censorship and arrests in many countries of the world, including Azerbaijan.
Independent MP Asaf Hajiyev regarded Obama`s views as "an unfair approach", saying hopes that were being bound with the new US administration had not been justified. Hajiyev said the US embassy in Baku had contributed to what he called a double standard.
"Baseless information provided by the US embassy on this issue has played a role in this," Hajiyev noted. "We want the embassy to provide unbiased information to the US leader. This has to stop. The U.S. is turning a blind eye to what is really going on in this region."
Another independent MP, Ganira Pashayeva, said much has been done in Azerbaijan to protect freedom of speech. She further called on the Foreign Ministry to clarify the matter with the US embassy.
"This is a factor affecting Azerbaijan`s international image, and the Foreign Ministry should seriously attend to this. The US president`s speech has surprised even the organizations that are biased against Azerbaijan."
Mubariz Gurbanly, deputy executive secretary of the ruling New Azerbaijan Party (NAP), also criticized Obama`s citing Azerbaijan alongside such countries as Zimbabwe. He emphasized that dictatorships reign in those countries, not to mention protecting freedom of the press and basic human rights. He also blamed the US diplomatic mission.
"The US embassy is to blame for this as well. The center [central government] has not been provided with accurate information. We definitely have to react to this," Gurbanly said.
Panah Huseyn, a representative of the opposition Musavat party, claimed that as long as journalists are arrested in Azerbaijan, the country`s political leadership should expect such feedback.
Speaker Ogtay Asadov said in his comments that the Armenian Diaspora had contributed to the US president`s speech. He also stressed the need to clarify the reasons for the critical statement.
Three journalists, including two chief editors, are currently imprisoned in Azerbaijan on charges of hooliganism. However, the journalists claim they were jailed due to their work and international rights groups have called on authorities to release them.
In a speech made on the occasion of May 3, World Press Freedom Day, Obama said journalists face pressure, censorship and arrests in many countries of the world, including Azerbaijan.
Independent MP Asaf Hajiyev regarded Obama`s views as "an unfair approach", saying hopes that were being bound with the new US administration had not been justified. Hajiyev said the US embassy in Baku had contributed to what he called a double standard.
"Baseless information provided by the US embassy on this issue has played a role in this," Hajiyev noted. "We want the embassy to provide unbiased information to the US leader. This has to stop. The U.S. is turning a blind eye to what is really going on in this region."
Another independent MP, Ganira Pashayeva, said much has been done in Azerbaijan to protect freedom of speech. She further called on the Foreign Ministry to clarify the matter with the US embassy.
"This is a factor affecting Azerbaijan`s international image, and the Foreign Ministry should seriously attend to this. The US president`s speech has surprised even the organizations that are biased against Azerbaijan."
Mubariz Gurbanly, deputy executive secretary of the ruling New Azerbaijan Party (NAP), also criticized Obama`s citing Azerbaijan alongside such countries as Zimbabwe. He emphasized that dictatorships reign in those countries, not to mention protecting freedom of the press and basic human rights. He also blamed the US diplomatic mission.
"The US embassy is to blame for this as well. The center [central government] has not been provided with accurate information. We definitely have to react to this," Gurbanly said.
Panah Huseyn, a representative of the opposition Musavat party, claimed that as long as journalists are arrested in Azerbaijan, the country`s political leadership should expect such feedback.
Speaker Ogtay Asadov said in his comments that the Armenian Diaspora had contributed to the US president`s speech. He also stressed the need to clarify the reasons for the critical statement.
Three journalists, including two chief editors, are currently imprisoned in Azerbaijan on charges of hooliganism. However, the journalists claim they were jailed due to their work and international rights groups have called on authorities to release them.
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