Azerbaijani interior minister receives OSCE representative on freedom of media

Interior Minister of Azerbaijan Ramil Usubov received the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Dunja Mijatović, who is on visit to Azerbaijan.

The Minister informed the guest about Interior Ministry’s function and activity directions. Interior Minister told the guests about the activities of the Ministry, which since late 90's has been prioritizing the human rights and freedoms and works under the new law, drafted with the participation of international experts, the Ministry's press service reported.

Later, information on cooperation between OSCE and Azerbaijani Interior Ministry was provided to the guest. It was noted that the Ministry has established close cooperation and friendly relations with OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, Baku Office and missions in the neighbor countries for the purpose of ensuring security in the republic and region, security of human rights, protection of public order and fight against transnational organized crime. The projects in 4 directions - in the fields of struggle against human trafficking, management of public assemblies, anti-corruption and "Police supported by society" are implemented by Office’s support.

The minister noted that the situation of legislation is constantly analyzed and generalized in the bodies and units. The Interior Ministry continues to struggle against all sorts of negative factors, and is interested in each of these facts, to take serious measures in the legislation against them. "773 police employees have been arrested for rough treatment with citizens for the last 3 years, 12 police officers brought to responsibility, 50 persons were dismissed from the Interior bodies, 68 people - were dismissed from their posts".

Dunja Mijatovic positively assessed the works carried out in Azerbaijan. Touching upon police-media relations, the guest noted the importance of journalists’ activity in normal and dangerous conditions and expressed satisfaction with the measures taken by police bodies. She also noted that the OSCE is a unique family, every family has its care on its problems: "we must solve these problems together"

The other several issues were also discussed at the meeting.


/Trend/