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May 2009 protest in Baku. ©Institute for Reporters' Freedom & Safety

Azerbaijan: Basic Freedoms Under Attack

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Location: OSI-New York
Event Date: September 22, 2009
Speakers: Mehman Aliyev, Shahin Abbasov, Khadija Ismayilova, Michael Hall

On July 8, 2009, prominent Azerbaijani bloggers and youth activists Emin Milli and Adnan Hajizada were arrested after being attacked in Baku. Eyewitnesses report that the two were victims of assailants claiming to be offended by the "political content" of the activists' discussion. Police released the attackers, while charging Milli and Hajizada with "hooliganism" and confining them to two months of pretrial detention.

The incident is unique in that the targets are not overtly political figures, nor are they "journalists" in the traditional sense. It indicates a further narrowing of public space for free expression, and comes on the heels of government attempts to pass extremely restrictive amendments to legislation on NGOs and religion.

At this Open Society Institute forum, speakers explore which opportunities remain to promote independent speech and free assembly in Azerbaijan.

Speakers

  • Khadija Ismayilova, Bureau Chief, RFE/RL Baku
  • Shain Abbasov,  Deputy Chief of Party, IREX/USAID Media Advancement Project 
  • Mehman Aliyev, Director, Turan Information Agency

Michael Hall, Regional Director for the Caucasus and Central Asia at the Open Society Institute, introduces the event.

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