“It seems as if you are proud of being photographed,” said Vugar Aliyev, Head of Sector of Media Relations of the Department of Social and Political Affairs of the Presidential Administration of Azerbaijan. The ironic observation was directed to Khadija Ismayilova, RFE/RL Azerbaijani Service correspondent, about whom a video of sexual nature was published once. “You should be ashamed for such words,” countered Khadija Ismayilova. This dialogue took place today at the 10th South Caucasus Conference initiated by the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media. OSCE representative on Freedom of the Media for the period of 2004-2010 Miklós Haraszti previously mentioned that the governments always like to present success stories, and civil societies like to speak about the problems. And, the speeches of representatives of authorities of the South Caucasus countries and the civil society were built accordingly. But, Vugar Aliyev’s speech that Azerbaijan has created all possible conditions for freedom of expression and information deserved acute opposition by other Azerbaijani delegates. For example, Director of “Turan” news agency and founder of contact.az, Mehman Aliyev, listed facts on how the distribution of the opposition “Azadliq” and “Yeni Müsavat” newspapers are restricted. Emin Huseynov, Head of Institute for Reporters’ Freedom and Safety said that yes, Azerbaijan is the first in the South Caucasus that has a broadcast satellite, but it is also the first that started to block the opposition satellite channel, “We are involved in space pirating.”
And, Khadija Ismayilova stated that only officials, perhaps, have honor, while she can not get justice, though she was publicly called a “whore”, making a reference to video taken by the security service. “Why is all this happening, and why do you say that all the conditions are created,” this question of the journalist deserved Vugar Aliyev’s resistance that there is no targeted policy in Azerbaijan to restrict the freedom of expression, and Khadija seem to be proud of being photographed. However, a while later she said that she also condemns the shooter of this video, “I curse these people just like you do.” To note that the debate would perhaps be continued, but it was interrupted by the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Dunya Miyatovich interference, who made a remark to the Azerbaijani delegate saying that the conference is not only dedicated to them, and they are not judges here, although the questions raised were constantly under her focus.
Anna ISRAELYAN
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