Ali Hasanov: "Political pluralism in the sphere of freedom of press and speech has been restored in Azerbaijan"

ODIHR has released the first mediatory report on the pre-election situation in Azerbaijan. Along with the mentioning positive preparations for elections, the report also says that representatives of international organizations have repeatedly voiced concern over the absence of pluralism in the country and independence of mass media.

The report also says that "elimination of registration of one of the biggest of local organizations to observe elections - the Election Monitoring Center - is a very big problem.

"I have not familiarized with the OSCE report but I do not agree with the statements which say that mass media is not free. Perhaps, we have problems in any sphere, but which country does not have problems?

Azerbaijan has carried out huge work in the sphere of freedom of press and speech and political pluralism has been fully restored in these spheres", said chief of the public policy department under the presidential administration of Azerbaijan Ali Hasanov.

"No censorship is applied over press. Mass media are published and transmitted freely. Therefore, we do not accept such claims. But, unfortunately, separate persons are interested in the assessment of definite cases as a tendency and attribute them to the whole country.

We do not agree with it, no matter who has said it, either the OSCE or CE representative or a representative of any other international organization", said Hasanov.

As for the elimination of the Election Monitoring Center, he noted that the Justice Ministry is dealing with this issue and all questions should be addressed to them.

"Tens of organizations are observing the elections in Azerbaijan. They are holding a monitoring, therefore, Azerbaijani powers have no grounds to close any organization or a center", said Hasanov.

He noted that the election situation has now reached its pick and it is now on the stage of agitation.

"Candidates hold their meeting throughout the republic and conduct agitation on public television and radio. The candidates' platforms are published in the state newspapers and other election procedures are being executed.

The situation is stable and observers are assessing the situation as quite dynamic and we consider that it will continue", said he.

At the same time, he refuted the accusations made by separate presidential candidates about participation of senior officials in the agitation campaign of working President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev.

"It is a lie. Officials do not take part in the agitation campaign. They display their interest with the agitation campaign, as citizens of their country. As for the active participation of the officials, nothing of the kind has occurred, but if it occurs, due decisions will be made in line with the law", said Hasanov.

He also refuted the message of several mass medias about possible signing of a new pardoning decree before elections.

"No pardoning decree is expected to be signed before elections, as it has recently been passed", concluded Hasanov.

Interfax-Azerbaijan