Terry Davis calls Azerbaijani powers to review cases of imprisoned journalists

CE Secretary General Terry Davis is concerned over the number of journalists, imprisoned in Azerbaijan and calls on the country leadership to review their cases, says the official website of the Council of Europe.

"The European Convention of Human Rights guarantees freedom of expression, provision and spread of information regardless of powers and state borders. There can not be a real freedom of speech or real democracy where journalists are imprisoned for their work", said CE Secretary General.

He voiced concern over the number of journalists, imprisoned in Azerbaijan and called on the country's powers to review the cases as soon as possible.

"I am also concerned about some of the constitutional amendments, put for referendum in March, which can further restrict the freedom of media. The proposed regulations on privacy right are too wide and it can lead to violation of regulations of the European Convention of Human Rights", noted the CE Secretary General.

He also noted that the Council of Europe is ready to present information to its member-states about how to combine the protection of right for privacy of different persons with freedom of speech.

"But we can recommend only when the country's government asks us to", concluded Davis.

/Day.Az/