Domestic

Domestic

PACE Monitoring Committee to debate Azerbaijani media situation

27 June 2007 11:08 (UTC +04:00)

Of course, this issue is interesting for all Caucasus states and Moldova,â€ PACE Monitoring Committee co-rapporteur Andres Herkel told the APA Europe bureau correspondent exclusively. He said that the issue on the state of Azerbaijani media will be debated at the Monitoring Committee on June 28.
â€œWe knew beforehand that the issue on Azerbaijanâ€™s commitments will no be debated in todayâ€™s meeting, as a lot of issues, various reports and issue on Ukraine are to be debated. The issue on Azerbaijan will be debated on June 28. Issues on Russia and Monaco will also be debated at the meeting,â€ he said.
Andres Herkel said that they will focus on two main issue concerning Azerbaijan.
â€œI openly state that existing problems in Azerbaijan emerge from inadequacy of judicial system. For example, mixture of problems on journalists and political prisoners. Besides, there are problems such as suspension of newspapers and assault on journalists,â€ he said.
Commenting on appointment of special rapporteur on political prisoners to Azerbaijan Mr. Herkel said the issue is often debated.
â€œI can not predict when and what the human rights defenders will propose regarding the appointment of a special rapporteur,â€ he said.
Andres Herkel said the co-rapporteurs are scheduled to visit the region either late in September or early in October. /APA/