Azeri gov’t not to counter lawsuits against journalists - official
The Azerbaijani government is concerned over the arrests of
journalists but honors citizens’ right to seek legal redress, a
senior official said Tuesday.
The head of the President’s Office socio-political department Ali Hasanov told journalists that every citizen is rightfully entitled to defending his rights through courts, and the authorities therefore have no intention to counter this.
"If Azerbaijan is building a legal state, we do not recognize any means of protecting human rights other than the judiciary.
"Journalists should learn to work in accord with the law. On the other hand, people should be somewhat tolerant toward criticism by journalists," Hasanov said.
Five jailed Azerbaijani journalists were released under a pardon decree issued by President Ilham Aliyev for 119 people late in December. Four others are still imprisoned – the editor-in-chief of opposition newspaper Azadlig Ganimat Zahid, another employee of the publication, satirical journalist Mirza Sakit, Bizim Yol newspaper’s writer Mushfig Huseynov and the editor of opposition Realniy Azerbaijan and Gundalik Azerbaijan newspapers Eynulla Fatullayev.*
The head of the President’s Office socio-political department Ali Hasanov told journalists that every citizen is rightfully entitled to defending his rights through courts, and the authorities therefore have no intention to counter this.
"If Azerbaijan is building a legal state, we do not recognize any means of protecting human rights other than the judiciary.
"Journalists should learn to work in accord with the law. On the other hand, people should be somewhat tolerant toward criticism by journalists," Hasanov said.
Five jailed Azerbaijani journalists were released under a pardon decree issued by President Ilham Aliyev for 119 people late in December. Four others are still imprisoned – the editor-in-chief of opposition newspaper Azadlig Ganimat Zahid, another employee of the publication, satirical journalist Mirza Sakit, Bizim Yol newspaper’s writer Mushfig Huseynov and the editor of opposition Realniy Azerbaijan and Gundalik Azerbaijan newspapers Eynulla Fatullayev.*
Here we are to serve you with news right now. It does not cost much, but worth your attention.
Choose to support open, independent, quality journalism and subscribe on a monthly basis.
By subscribing to our online newspaper, you can have full digital access to all news, analysis, and much more.
Subscribe
You can also follow AzerNEWS on Twitter @AzerNewsAz or Facebook @AzerNewsNewspaper
Thank you!