Thomas Hammerbeg recommends Azerbaijani government to withdraw responsibility for defamation from Criminal Code

The due announcement was made by a source from the CoE Baku information office.

In his report Hammerberg welcomed Azerbaijan's progress in this issue in years of independence, development of judicial system and efforts to improve living conditions of internally displaced persons.

Moreover, he highly appreciated the commitments, undertaken by the government in 2006 in connection with the National plan of actions on protection of human rights.

At the same time, T.Hammerberg pointed at the shortcomings and put forward some recommendations regarding activities of court, behavior of police officers and the state of life-time prisoners.

He also stressed the necessity to respect the freedom of expression and prevention of discrimination.

The commissioner recommended the powers of the country to complete the reforms in the judicial system for its compliance to European standards of effectiveness, independence and neutrality of courts.

Touching upon the period of investigation, the report stresses that there are still complaints regarding the facts of torture during the investigation. Hammerberg voiced concern over the practice of unjustified imprisonment of reporters and representatives of opposition.

The commissioner recommends to take responsibility for defamation off the Criminal Code.

It should be noted that the report bases on the facts collected during Hammerberg's visit to Azerbaijan in September of 2006 as well as answers of government representatives.

/Day.Az/