IRFS calls Obama to discuss freedom of expression in Azerbaijan with Aliev

The Institute for Reporters' Freedom and Safety (IRFS) of Azerbaijan sent a letter to US President Barack Obama in the context of his forthcoming meeting on September 24 with President Ilham Aliev at the 65th session of the UN General Assembly in New York.

The letter notes that the law on press in the honour of Daniel Pearl, signed by Obama, became a turning point for the freedom of the press in the world. "It is especially important for Azerbaijan, where the situation with the freedom of speech and expression remains complex. None of the cases of physical and psychological pressure on journalists was solved, including the murder in 2005 of journalist Elmar Guseinov," Emin Guseinov, director of the IRFS, told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent in his comments on the letter to the American president.

Mr Guseinov noted that the country's TV channels are under governmental control, while licensing of new electronic media is restricted. The state of things with radio broadcasting in Azerbaijan is also problematic: in January 2009, the authorities banned broadcasting of foreign radio stations Voice of America, Radio Liberty BBC in local frequencies, the letter of the IRFS to Barack Obama runs.

Special attention is given to the convicts - journalist Einullah Fatullaev and bloggers Emin Milli and Adnan Gadjizade, announced prisoners of conscience by the Amnesty International.

The IRFS asks Obama to discuss these issues with Aliev and help to release Fatullaev and the bloggers, punish the murderers of Elmar Guseinov, and ensure the freedom of speech and expression and not to admit any bureaucrats' control over the Internet.