The Journalists Union of Malawi (JUMA), is deeply shocked to learn that prisons in Azerbaijan continue to detain at least seven journalists who were either falsely convicted or are awaiting trial on spurious charges ranging from fraud and tax evasion to hooliganism or espionage.
It is sad to note that in the past 12 months alone, your country has arrested four of the seven journalists.
For your information, our records indicate that the journalists under your custody include:
1) Nijat Aliyev, arrested May 20, 2012
2) Araz Guliyev, arrested September 8, 2012
3) Parviz Hashimli, arrested September 17, 2013
4) Seymur Hazi, arrested August 29, 2014
5) Khadija Ismayilova, arrested December 5, 2014
6) Hilal Mamedov, arrested June 21, 2012
7) Rauf Mirkadyrov, arrested April 19, 2014
All these cases have been reported on the Council of Europe’s Platform to promote the protection of journalism and safety of journalists which records violations of Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights regarding Freedom of Expression and information.
Your Excellency, this picture gives the impression that, together with the arrests of numerous high profile human rights activists and lawyers, your government is engaged in a deliberate campaign to silence critical voices as the country hosts the European Olympics this month.
JUMA would like to condemn the arrests in the strongest terms and is hereby advising you that the continued incarceration of these journalists not only damages the reputation of your country, but also dilutes its ambition to be a democracy that adheres to the international standards of human rights and respect for freedom of expression.
Be informed that during the Baku Games the eyes of the world’s media will be on Baku and that JUMA and all IFJ/EFJ affiliates, who together represent over 300.000 European journalists and over 600.000 journalists worldwide, will be campaigning hard to raise awareness about the plight of their Azeri colleagues.
Our union fully backs this campaign as we are affiliated to them.
We, therefore, call on you to use your authority to seek the release of all seven journalists and, in doing so, to send a message to the hundreds of journalists visiting your country for the games as well as to all Azeri journalists that they are welcome and that their profession is fully respected in Azerbaijan.
Charles Mkula
GENERAL SECRETARY
