Amnesty International is concerned about freedom of expression in Azerbaijan

Series of violent attacks on journalists and the lack of thorough, effective and independent investigations into these incidents have had a chilling effect on the freedom of expression in the country.

"The fact that no one has been brought to justice for these attacks, and that in most cases the identity of the assailants remains unknown, contributes to a climate of impunity for assaults against journalists. In other cases allegations of the beating and harassment of journalists by law enforcement officials have yet to be thoroughly or independently investigated."

"Amnesty International is deeply concerned about the harassment of journalists by law enforcement officials, especially during the 2005 parliamentary election campaign, the murder of Elmar Huseynov in March 2005, assaults on Fikret Huseynli and Bahaddin Haziyev and the arrest and prosecution of Sakit Mirza Zakhidov."

Concerns raised by Amnesty International include attempts by law enforcement or security forces to restrict freedom of expression during politically sensitive periods, such as election campaigns.

Azerbaijan has an obligation to promote and protect the right to freedom of expression, which is guaranteed in number of international treaties to which it is party, such as the European Convention on Human Rights (ICCPR; Article 10) and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (Article 19).

According to APA, Amnesty International has called on the Azerbaijani government to publicly condemn any human rights abuses against journalists and all others who peacefully exercise their right to freedom of expression at any time.