Azerbaijan Journalists Face Arrests, Attacks

(RFE/RL) January 24, 2007 -- The human rights group Amnesty International says Azerbaijani journalists who criticize the authorities or expose corruption face a growing risk of arrest or reprisal attacks.

In a report, the group said that journalists in Azerbaijan are "only free to express opinions that fall in line with government directives."

Amnesty said the worsening situation for freedom of speech may be linked to government fears of political changes like those in Georgia and Ukraine.

(AP)

Human Rights In Azerbaijan

Azerbaijani parliamentarian and historian Jamil Hasanli speaking at RFE/RL on November 29 (RFE/RL)

THE CURSE OF OIL. On November 29, RFE/RL's Washington office hosted a briefing on democratic development in Azerbaijan. The briefing featured liberal opposition lawmaker Jamil Hasanli and former political prisoner and activist Murad Sadaddinov. The two men discussed the international commitments Azerbaijan has made in the area of human rights in order to secure investment in its energy sector and offer advice as to how the international community should deal with Baku.