4 May 2011

Joint action

Joint appeal to UNESCO director-general over Fatullayev case


(IRFS/IFEX) - 29 April 2011 - Freedom of expression organisations are deeply concerned by the continued imprisonment of journalist Eynulla Fatullayev in Azerbaijan.

We are approaching the 3rd of May - World Press Freedom Day, and it is for this reason that we are writing to you. We are aware that UNESCO, as a specialized branch of the UN, is particularly focused on marking World Press Freedom Day. UNESCO aims to protect freedom of speech and expression across the world. As a clear example, we can refer to the UNESCO/Guillermo Cano Prize. This year, this prize was awarded to journalists from Iran and the presentation ceremony of the prize will be held on May 3. We believe that UNESCO should call for the release of all imprisoned journalists worldwide and for an end to the pressure they are facing.

We are appealing on behalf of Eynulla Fatullayev, the imprisoned Azerbaijani journalist and internationally recognized prisoner of conscience, who has been held in prison for over 4 years in Azerbaijan.

Fatullayev has been behind bars since April 2007. In April 2010 the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) recognized his innocence and called for his immediate release. The Council of Europe Cabinet of Ministers discussed the implementation of the ECHR judgment and the release of Fatullayev, and adopted concrete decisions in its November 2010 and March 2011 sessions. Drug possession charges were filed against Fatullayev in December 2009, with the intent to prevent the implementation of the anticipated ECHR decision, and his sentence was subsequently extended. There are concerns that the journalist's life is in danger.

We regret to note that not only the journalist, but also his family members have faced death threats, pressures and provocation.

We call upon UNESCO to put forward an initiative for the release of Fatullayev and other imprisoned journalists, and call upon the Azerbaijani authorities to release him.

Institute for Reporters' Freedom and Safety
8 R. Behbudov St., Apt. 85/86
Baku
Azerbaijan
irfs.az (@) gmail.com
Phone: +99 412 418 0334/+99 450 398 4838
 

ARTICLE 19
Committee to Protect Journalists
Freedom House
Index on Censorship
International Press Institute
Reporters Without Borders (RSF)
World Association of Newspapers and News Publishers (WAN-IFRA)

Non-IFEX Signatories:



Human Rights House Foundation
Media Legal Defence Initiative
Media Diversity Institute
Media Rights Institute
Norwegian Helsinki Committee
PEN International

From other IFEX members

IRFS letter to US president (IRFS)

More on this case

Journalist Eynulla Fatullayev granted amnesty in honour of 28 May holiday 27 May 2011 Government claims to have complied with ECHR judgment on Fatullayev case 4 May 2011 "Fifty Fatullayevs" outside London Embassy demand release of jailed Azerbaijani journalist 19 April 2011 Family of imprisoned journalist receives threatening phone call 13 April 2011 CPJ concerned about Fatullayev's safety, calls for his release 23 March 2011 Council of Europe Committee of Ministers must demand journalist's release, says International Partnership Group for Azerbaijan 2 March 2011 Fatullayev fears for his safety in prison 11 February 2011 Baku Appeals Court denies Fatullayev's appeal, defies ECHR ruling 3 February 2011 Supreme Court rejects imprisoned editor's appeal 3 January 2011 Council of Europe Committee calls on government to release Eynulla Fatullayev 8 December 2010 Fatullayev's fate lies with the Council of Europe Committee of Ministers, says ARTICLE 19 6 December 2010 Editor Eynulla Fatullayev remains jailed despite ECHR call for his release 12 November 2010 In latest humiliation, newspaper editor appears in court inside cage 8 November 2010 Send a letter in support of jailed editor 29 October 2010 Joint letter calls for newspaper editor's release 28 October 2010 ECHR upholds decision on release of Eynulla Fatullayev 21 October 2010 Authorities say imprisoned journalist will not be freed regardless of appeal outcome 22 July 2010 Imprisoned editor sentenced to an additional two and a half years in prison 7 July 2010 IRFS appeals to president as imprisoned editor starts hunger strike 7 June 2010 Comply with European Court decision on case of imprisoned journalist, ARTICLE 19, International PEN urge 19 May 2010 Authorities urged to comply with ECHR order and release editor Eynulla Fatullayev 23 April 2010 European Court of Human Rights orders journalist's release 23 April 2010 Eynulla Fatullayev's appeal rejected 18 March 2010 Eynulla Fatullayev and family threatened 18 March 2010 Imprisoned editor concerned over possible threat to his life 3 March 2010 Editor's detention prolonged by two more months 1 March 2010 CPJ delegation calls for Eynulla Fatullayev's release 22 January 2010 Editor to be tried on new charge, sentenced to two months' detention in isolation unit 6 January 2010 Authorities trump up new charge against award-winning editor Eynulla Fatullayev 31 December 2009 Detained journalist harassed in prison 27 October 2008 Supreme Court upholds editor's conviction 4 June 2008 Imprisoned editor starts hunger strike to protest jailing of journalists 26 March 2008 Appeals court upholds conviction of critical editor 17 January 2008 Outspoken editor Eynulla Fatullayev sentenced to eight and a half years in prison 30 October 2007 Supreme Court upholds editor's prison sentence 27 August 2007 New terrorism charge brought against opposition editor already serving 30-month sentence for defamation 6 July 2007 Imprisoned editor Eynulla Fatullayev receives death threats, inhumane treatment; his conviction confirmed 8 June 2007 Fifteen journalists seek political asylum in protest against closure of newspapers 29 May 2007 Imprisoned editor Eynulla Fatullayev charged with terrorism; his home searched, his newspaper's computers, documents confiscated 24 May 2007 Imprisoned editor target of death threat; two newspapers evicted amid media harassment campaign 22 May 2007 Editor of critical newspaper brutally beaten after protesting conviction of colleague 24 April 2007 Embattled editor jailed for libel and insult over article he denies writing 23 April 2007

Azerbaijan

Authorities violently disperse peaceful rallies 22 May 2012 Opposition activist released from prison 17 May 2012 Journalist says he was tortured in prison 25 April 2012 International NGOs call on president to investigate brutal attack on prominent journalist 19 April 2012 Three journalists detained for 12 hours 28 March 2012 See all alerts: Azerbaijan


Eastern Europe, Caucasus, Central Asia

RUSSIA: Putin's new mandate starts inauspiciously for media 11 May 2012 MOLDOVA: Reporter injured in vicious attack 9 May 2012


 
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