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Azerbaijan

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Campaigns and Advocacy

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PACE urged to demand freedom for political prisoners

Member organisations of the International Partnership Group for Azerbaijan (IPGA) are deeply concerned by the continued politically motivated imprisonment of persons for exercising their right to freedom of expression.

Groups call for justice for Rafiq Tagi

Rafiq Tagi died in Baku on 23 November from the injuries he sustained during a brutal knife attack four days earlier.

See all campaign news: Azerbaijan

From the Communiqué

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IFEX members outraged by death of prominent journalist in hospital

IFEX members are demanding answers from the Azerbaijani government after outspoken journalist and writer Rafiq Tagi died in hospital on 23 November following a stabbing attack. The International Partnership Group for Azerbaijan (IPGA) issued a joint statement condemning his murder and calling for an end to the impunity that threatens Azerbaijani journalists.

IRFS staffer, freelance journalist attacked

Earlier this month, many IFEX members met Celia Davies, a British staffer at the Institute for Reporters' Freedom and Safety (IRFS) in Azerbaijan, for the first time at the IFEX conference in Beirut. It hit that much closer to home when last week, Davies and U.S. freelance journalist Amanda Erickson were badly beaten while on their way home - likely in connection with their human rights work, says IRFS.

Eynulla Fatullayev free at last

Azerbaijani journalist Eynulla Fatullayev's imprisonment became emblematic of the battle for free expression in the country. After four years in prison on politically motivated charges, Fatullayev was released on a presidential pardon on 26 March. He endured years of threats, attacks and prosecution in retaliation for his writing, even before his imprisonment in 2007. After years of intensely campaigning for his release, the Institute for Reporters Freedom and Safety (IRFS) and other IFEX members are thrilled with the news that he is now free. His release was part of a general amnesty for political prisoners, marking 28 May, Republic Day.

See all articles: Azerbaijan

Reports

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IRFS press freedom report for first six months of 2011

On a positive note, Eynulla Fatullayev, the former editor-in-chief of the "Realniy Azerbaidjan" and "Gundelik Azerbaijan" newspapers, was released after spending 4 years in prison, following the signing of a pardon decree by the president of Azerbaijan.

Journalists facing violence and prosecution

The Azerbaijani government is using criminal laws and violent attacks to silence dissenting journalists, Human Rights Watch said in its report.


See all reports: Azerbaijan