Nasibova: journalists have to be human rights defenders in Nakhichevan

Nakhichevan has just a few independent journalists; they have to be engaged in human rights activities at the same time, as Malakhat Nasibova, a journalist from Azerbaijan, said to the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent. Ms Nasibova was awarded by the Norwegian human rights organization "Rafto Foundation" for her coverage of events in Nakhichevan.

"The news about my award presented by the Foundation was a complete surprise. For me, it's a great honour and support," she has added in her telephone conversation with the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

"It is also very important from the viewpoint of attracting the attention of international public to the problems with human rights in the Nakhichevan Autonomous Republic (NAR). The situation here is very grave: the institutes of civil society are in fact inoperative. We, independent journalists, are just a handful here; and we have to deal with human rights issues at the same time," said Malakhat Nasibova.

Ali Gasanov, head of the public-political department of the administration of the President of Azerbaijan, has expressed, while making his comments on the critical estimate by the Foundation of the situation in the NAR, his disagreement with the criticism. "Who to award - is their business, but as to their estimate of the situation with the freedom of media in Azerbaijan - it's very prejudiced. Thousands of journalists in Azerbaijan are criticizing the government," the "Turan" Agency quotes Mr Gasanov.