INTERIOR MINISTER MEETS WITH UN SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR
Interior Minister of Azerbaijan Ramil Usubov met April 25 with visiting Azerbaijan UN Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression, Ambeyi Ligabo.
R. Usubov told of the socio-political processes in Azerbaijan after regaining independence, legal and democratic reforms, and fight against crimes.
Resolute fight against crime in the country helped to curb crime rate in the country and ensure irreversibility of stability, he pointed out.
R. Usubov said the Ministry of Internal Affairs puts a special emphasis on the national policy to ensure human rights and freedoms and upgrade the skills of policemen. Unfortunately, despite these efforts, some police officers commit offences. The Ministry investigates these facts to give a relevant assessment. In 2002-2006 alone, 522 police officers were punished for mistreatment against citizens, frivolous arrests and illegal search. Of them, 33 policemen faced criminal charges while 85 were fired from the interior bodies.
Minister said he is interested in developing police-media relationships. The Ministry’s Internal Investigation department probed into 106 facts published in the press in 2001-2006 alone with 18 facts verified and some policemen brought to trial.
The conversation touched upon the Press Council and other journalist’s organizations. It was noted that Ambeyi Ligabon’s visit and meetings held would have a positive impact on this cooperation.
The meeting also focused on a number of other issues of mutual interest.
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