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Ali Hasanov: Pardon of imprisoned journalists is under question

17 July 2007 11:59 (UTC +04:00)

The department head commenting on Press Councilâ€™s appeal on pardoning journalists said that according to the pardoning procedure, civilian or his family members should appeal to Pardon Commission. After the members of the commission comment positively on this issue, their appeal will be sent to the head of the state. Senior official stressed that only the head of the state has authority to issue pardon decree.
â€œBut the ongoing processes show that the pardon of these people and their choosing right way is questionable. If the procedure regarding pardoning is not held, this will be impossible. Therefore, we can not say anything today. This issue is remaining theme of the debate,â€ he said.
The department head also touched on the debates they held with the executive director of Human Rights Watch Kenneth Roth.
Hasanov said that the issues Mr.Roth raised, gives no ground to say that the media condition in Azerbaijan is bad.
â€œI did not feel any tendency in his speech. Mr. Rothâ€™s concern is connected with not adopting defamation law, and punishment of journalists for insulting, libeling different persons.
He was told that Azerbaijan is a state where there is rule of law is ensured and courts are independent. Everyone has the right to appeal to court and no one can deprive him/her of this right. Arrest of seven journalists does not mean that media is exerted pressure in Azerbaijan. It means that Azerbaijani journalists are not professional enough. There are journalists who insult honor and dignity which results in trial,â€ he said.
The state official said that the other issue raised by Kenneth Roth was connected with tortures in Azerbaijan.
â€œHe concerned himself with the activities carried out in this field since 2003 in Azerbaijan,â€ he said.
Ali Hasanov said they gave detailed information about it to the visitor. The department chief said they told the executive director that Azerbaijan joined four international conventions against torture, legislative acts were adopted in Azerbaijan on the implementation of these conventions, some laws were amended and state program on protection of human rights was adopted by the presidentâ€™s executive order.
â€œWe made a remark him that Human Rights Watch does not include in its reports the issues on violation of human rights of about one million IDPs from Nagorno Karabakh. We also said that this factor was not mentioned while assessing Armenian governmentâ€™s attitude towards human rights. He confessed it, and promised to take this factor into consideration in future,â€ he said.
Ali Hasanov said that Kenneth Rothâ€™s statement that head of Presidentâ€™s Administration Ramiz Mehdiyev will appeal to the President for pardoning the imprisoned journalists was misunderstanding during interpretation.
â€œRamiz Mehdiyev said that if the imprisoned journalists appeal to the Pardon Commission, their appeal will be considered. If the commission members pass a decision on their release, the decision will be presented to the President. We had to refute Kenneth Rothâ€™s statement,â€ he said. /APA/