Eight journalists file suit to European court
A group of Azerbaijani journalists has filed a plea to the European
Human Rights Court.
Eight plaintiffs aired their grievances over the rulings handed down by local courts. They claimed that their rights and freedoms reflected in the country`s legislation and a relevant European convention were trampled upon, the Media Law Institute (MLI) said.
The MLI director Rashid Hajily and two lawyers of the organization are advocating for the journalists` rights.
The lawsuit says that Azerbaijani courts, in passing decisions on the plea filed by journalists who are not allowed to protest, violated their rights to fair trial and free assembly, and the ban on torture indicated in the European convention. The journalists requested reinstatement of their rights and compensation for the costs incurred and the damage inflicted.
We recall that the journalists attempted to hold a protest downtown Baku on June 12 against alleged pressure on local media but faced a police crackdown. Four protesters were arrested. The journalists now call for prosecuting the law enforcers who used force and adopting a resolution stipulating payment of 10,000 manats ($12,000) in compensation.
All relevant court instances in Azerbaijan have rejected the pleas filed by the journalists.
Eight plaintiffs aired their grievances over the rulings handed down by local courts. They claimed that their rights and freedoms reflected in the country`s legislation and a relevant European convention were trampled upon, the Media Law Institute (MLI) said.
The MLI director Rashid Hajily and two lawyers of the organization are advocating for the journalists` rights.
The lawsuit says that Azerbaijani courts, in passing decisions on the plea filed by journalists who are not allowed to protest, violated their rights to fair trial and free assembly, and the ban on torture indicated in the European convention. The journalists requested reinstatement of their rights and compensation for the costs incurred and the damage inflicted.
We recall that the journalists attempted to hold a protest downtown Baku on June 12 against alleged pressure on local media but faced a police crackdown. Four protesters were arrested. The journalists now call for prosecuting the law enforcers who used force and adopting a resolution stipulating payment of 10,000 manats ($12,000) in compensation.
All relevant court instances in Azerbaijan have rejected the pleas filed by the journalists.
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