POLITICS
STATEMENT OF INDEPENDENT JOURNALISTS LEAGUE OF AZERBAIJAN
Thousands of observers confirm that elections were held in transparent and democratic atmosphere. However, “Musavat” party, who got convinced of its failure after preliminary results came afternoon, behaved itself in the way, which does not harmonize with the civilized and democratic thinking. Thus, Musavat supporters, who like to talk about freedom of press, immunity of journalists, beat Lider TV correspondent Sahil Karimli who was discharging his professional duties near the party’s headquarters. For their defeat, Isa Gambar’s followers decided to take revenge on the journalist, which is not ethical and, altogether, burdens the party with moral responsibility.
Addressing the Press Council, the Independent Journalists League of Azerbaijan express confidence that the misdeed committed against journalist who was performing, his duties will be appropriately assessed.
Appealing to Interior Minister of Azerbaijan Republic Ramil Usubov and General Prosecutor Zakir Garalov, the Independent Journalists League ask to legally assess the fact and search and detain criminals who brought physical pressure on our colleague and insulted him while he was discharging his duties.
At the same time, addressing the observers of OSCE Bureau for Democratic Institutes and Human Rights, Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, Commonwealth of Independent States, IFES and leaders of diplomatic missions of foreign countries in Baku, we ask you to express your attitude to disgraceful actions of political party against exponents of freedom of speech.
Democracy and independent press are intertwined notions. Level of approaching of every society to democracy is defined with originality of its speech and press.