Press statements of the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media
OSCE Media Freedom Representative deplores obstruction of work of journalists in Azerbaijan, calling on authorities to ensure safe working conditions
Publishing date: 22 October 2019
VIENNA, 22 October 2019 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, said today that journalists’ safety must be ensured at all times. The statement followed recent incidents with several journalists covering public protests in Baku...
OSCE Representative Désir warns about negative implications for media freedom following judicial ruling against journalist in Azerbaijan
Publishing date: 22 February 2019
VIENNA, 22 February 2019 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, today expressed serious concern over the sentence handed down to the editor of the Bastainfo.com online platform, Mustafa Hajibeyli, in Baku, Azerbaijan...
OSCE Media Freedom Representative calls on Azerbaijan to revise state aid system for press and allow for environment favourable to media pluralism
Publishing date: 20 February 2019
VIENNA, 20 February 2019 – Following the recent introduction in Azerbaijan of tighter requirements for print media eligible for state funding, the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, today called on the authorities to focus efforts on developing a favourable media environment...
OSCE Representative welcomes dropping of criminal charges against blogger Mehman Huseynov in Azerbaijan, calls for his release
Publishing date: 22 January 2019
VIENNA, 22 January 2019 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, today expressed his satisfaction following a decision by Azerbaijan’s authorities to drop new charges against the imprisoned blogger and chair of the media NGO Institute for Reporters’ Freedom and Safety, Mehman Huseynov. The OSCE Representative called on the authorities to release Huseynov as soon as possible...
In a letter to Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan OSCE Representative calls for release of blogger Mehman Huseynov and dropping of criminal charges against him
Publishing date: 9 January 2019
VIENNA, 9 January 2019 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Harlem Désir today in a letter to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Elmar Mammadyarov, expressed his serious concern about the situation and health condition of the imprisoned blogger and chair of the media NGO Institute for Reporters’ Freedom and Safety, Mehman Huseynov, and called on the authorities to drop new criminal charges brought against him. Huseynov has reportedly been on a hunger strike since late December 2018...
OSCE media freedom representative dismayed by continued persecution of journalist Khadija Ismayilova in Azerbaijan
Publishing date: 22 December 2018
VIENNA, 22 December 2018 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, today expressed serious concern following a court decision in Azerbaijan ordering a well-known investigative journalist Khadija Ismayilova to pay a high fine for an alleged tax debt...
OSCE media freedom representative seriously concerned about blocking of Internet in Azerbaijan, urges reform to laws and regulations affecting media
Publishing date: 10 August 2018
VIENNA, 10 August 2018 – Following the recent blocking of news websites due to allegations of defamation in Azerbaijan, the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Harlem Désir today urgently called on the authorities to reform the laws and regulations affecting media and to encourage pluralistic debate on all issues of public importance, both off– and online...
OSCE media freedom representative welcomes release of journalist Aziz Orudjev in Azerbaijan
Publishing date: 6 April 2018
VIENNA, 6 April 2018 –OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Harlem Désir today welcomed the release of the head of the Internet TV channel Kanal 13 in Azerbaijan...
OSCE media freedom representative Désir condemns jailing of investigative journalist Afgan Mukhtarli in Azerbaijan
Publishing date: 12 January 2018
VIENNA, 12 January 2018 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Harlem Désir today condemned the sentencing of journalist Afghan Mukhtarli to six years in prison by the Balakan District Court in Azerbaijan.
OSCE media freedom representative calls on Azerbaijan authorities to end restrictive measures detrimental to journalists’ freedom and safety
Publishing date: 18 December 2017
VIENNA, 18 December 2017 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Harlem Désir today expressed grave concerns regarding the sentencing of Aziz Orudjev, head of the internet TV channel Kanal 13, in Azerbaijan.