Amnesty International: "Facts of physical violence against reporters in Azerbaijan are not investigated or end in nothing, which creates atmosphere of impunity"

Amnesty International called on Azerbaijani powers to bring to responsibility those guilty of attacks on reporters. According to the announcement of the organization, the murder of Monitor magazine editor Elmar Huseynov has not yet been disclosed.

"Azerbaijani powers should execute undertaken international commitments and ensure the right for freedom of expression. Reporters live under threat of physical violence, political arrests and even murders in Azerbaijan", the announcement says.

In this connection, the organization demands from official Baku to create a climate of tolerance to alternative views and criticism.

Amnesty International recommends to the powers of Azerbaijan:

-to release Eynulla Fatullayev immediately and pay compensation to him;
-to release prisoner of conscience Sakit Zahidov and consider issue of paying compensation to him;
-release his brother Ganimat Zahidov-editor-in-chief of the Azadlyg newspaper;
-to consider all cases against reporters quickly and objectively;
-demand from law-enforcement bodies and other state structures to respect freedom of speech and punish those, who ignore this principle;
-eliminate criminal punishment for libel in line with recommendations of the Council of Europe.

/Day.Az/