31 January 2008, 12:38
Human Rights Watch draws EU's attention to Azerbaijan
The Human Rights Watch (HRW) calls on the leaders of the European Union to pay a more thorough attention to the situation with democracy in Azerbaijan.
"Our concern is first of all with deterioration of the freedom of press before the presidential election and tortures," runs the brief report of the Human Rights Watch published today.
Human rights activists suggest that the Azerbaijani government undertake particular serious reforms in these spheres.
"We believe that the European Commission can play an important role in addressing these problems by including these proposals into the draft action plan of European neighbourhood with Azerbaijan," the report asserts.
The HRW expresses its serious concern that the government of Azerbaijan continues using slander charges and other accusations of criminal offences to prosecute independent and oppositional journalists. Some journalists are attacked and beaten by unknown persons.
Author: Rafael Gasanov, CK correspondent
