The Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe will discuss on June 8-10 the implementation of ECHR decisions by some countries, including Azerbaijan.

Head of the Media Rights Group Khalid Aghaliyev said that eight decisions of two groups - "Khadija Ismail" and "Anar Mammadli" - will be discussed at the meeting.   The first group includes two decisions made by the ECHR on the complaints of the journalist.  They are related to the violation of the applicant's right to privacy and freedom of expression.

The Government of Azerbaijan informed the Council of Europe that the law enforcement authorities had initiated criminal proceedings for interference in the journalist's private life and distribution of her intimate videos.  However, "despite numerous investigative and search operations, the perpetrators could not be identified and the case was closed in 2017.

At the same time, the government responded that Ismayilova was compensated in both cases with interest.

The government also indicated that it had taken necessary steps to protect journalists' private and family life and freedom of expression.  In doing so, the authorities informed about the adoption of a new media law "opening broad opportunities for journalistic freedom.

As to the cases from "Anar Mammadli" group, these are ECHR verdicts over the cases of human rights activists and activists: Anar Mammadli, Intigam Aliyev, Mammad Azizov, Shahin Novruzlu, Giyas Ibragimov and Bayram Mammadov, and Leila and Arif Yunus, where their rights under Article 18 of the European Convention on Human Rights were found to be violated.  In other words, despite the recognition of the illegality of the prosecution of these individuals, the Azerbaijani authorities have not yet acquitted them.

In its response to the Committee of Ministers, the government stated that the criminal proceedings against all the applicants had been terminated and there were no longer any adverse legal consequences for them.

Source - Turan.az

08 June 2022 / 13:29