{"id":162947,"date":"2013-11-27T00:58:54","date_gmt":"2013-11-27T00:58:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.meydan.tv\/article\/in-defense-of-the-last-independent-newspaper\/"},"modified":"2013-11-27T00:58:54","modified_gmt":"2013-11-27T00:58:54","slug":"in-defense-of-the-last-independent-newspaper","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.meydan.tv\/az\/article\/in-defense-of-the-last-independent-newspaper\/","title":{"rendered":"In defense of the last independent newspaper"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n \"\"
<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\n
\n Rise your voice in defense of the first and the last
\n <\/b>\n<\/p>\n

\n
\n Independent newspaper in Azerbaijan – Azadliq
\n <\/b><\/p>\n

To: Cabinet of Ministers of European Union
\n
\n Committee of Ministers of Council of Europe
\n
\n Foreign Ministry of UK
\n
\n Foreign Ministry of France
\n
\n Foreign Ministry of Germany<\/p>\n

\n Dear Sir\/Madam<\/p>\n

We apply to You in connection with the threat of closure of the first and, unfortunately, the last independent newspapers in Azerbaijan – Azadliq newspaper – that played a crucial role in the struggle for independence and democracy in our country.<\/p>\n

A severe oppression on tribunes of independent and alternative idea has been continuing for many years in Azerbaijan. As a result, all of local independent TV and radios and most of print media were either set out of order, or were obliged to work under control of the government.<\/p>\n

Today, the Azadlig newspaper is the only newspaper which still continues printing materials for unmasking illegal activities of the present regime, thus playing an important role in mobilization of the society against illegality. However, due to constant oppression, it experiences a serious threat, which may lead to final suppression. Members of the editorship of the newspaper have faced total financial, moral and physical terror. Its editor-in-chief Ganimat Zahid and satirist Mirza Sakit were arrested, two of other contributors \u2013 Agil Khalil and Fikrat Huseynli were obliged to leave the country (both of which underwent physical damage \u2013 knifed), its correspondent Ramin Deko was beaten, head of department Seymour Hezi was kidnapped and beaten, shadowed several times (which were proved by facts), the newspaper itself was punished by the government through penalties defined by trials of state courts by political order. On Courts decisions government officials required to pay 65,000 Euros from the newspaper for \u201cinsulting\u201d publications (which is huge money for the newspaper with small circulation). Controlled by the government, the \u201cGasid\u201d newspaper distribution company doesn\u2019t pay the money it received from sales of copies of the newspaper. Another government-controlled organization \u2013 the \u201cAzerbaijan\u201d Publishing House refuses to print the newspaper due to its debt to the Publishing House. Cyber attacks to the internet site of the newspaper have become a problem for international internet servers. Obviously, attacks on the newspaper and silencing it are one of the priorities of the government.<\/p>\n

Being the main value of democracy, representatives of local and international community have to demonstrate solidarity of efforts regarding to the problem. So, we, those Azerbaijani public figures and politicians who sign this Appeal, call the world democratic leaders to contribute to protection of freedom of speech and expression in Azerbaijan. We declare that it is one of the vital matters for establishment and development of democracy both in Azerbaijan and the peace in the region, which would enable Azerbaijan to hold a positive position in the global security system.<\/p>\n

On behalf of the Committee for Defense of Azadliq Newspaper:\n<\/p>\n

\n Ganimat Zahid, Editor in chief of Azadlig newspaper
\n
\n Rahim Haciyev, Acting editor of Azadliq newspaper
\n
\n Jamil Hasanli, Presidential candidate from the National Council
\n
\n Hikmet Hadjy-zadeh, Political analyst
\n
\n Khadija Ismayilova, Investigative journalist
\n
\n Leyla Yunus, Director of Institute for Peace and Democracy
\n
\n Arif Aliyev, Chairman of \u201cNew Generation\u201d Journalists Union
\n
\n Dr.Leila Alieva, President, Center for National and International Studies
\n
\n Qubad Ibadoglu, President, Economic Research Center
\n
\n Azer Mehtiyev, Chairman, Center for Support for Economic Initiatives
\n
\n Ahmed N. Abbasbeyli, “Development Society and Civil Relations” Center
\n
\n Ilgar Ibrahimoglu, Imam Jamaat, Juma Mosque Community
\n
\n Nasrulla Nurullayev,\u00a0 Chairman, Care for the elderly intellectuals PU
\n
\n Fuad Hesenov, Democracy Monitor
\n
\n Mubariz Tag\u0131yev, “In Defense of Human Rights of Oil Workers”
\n
\n Intigam Aliyev, Chairman of Legal Education Society
\n
\n Mahammad Talibli,\u00a0 Chairman, Institute of Economic Analysis (IEA)
\n
\n Imranova Aytakin, Chairwoman, “Islam, Democracy and Human rights” Center
\n
\n Letafet Melikova, Chairwoman of\u00a0 Regional Human Rights and Enlightening Center
\n
\n Razi Nurullayev, President, “REGION” International Analytical Center (RIAC)
\n
\n Sevil Allahverdiyeva, Director, Center of Women\u2019s Problems Research CWPR
\n
\n Khalid Kazimov, Chairman of Regional Human Rights and Media Center
\n
\n Rafig Tamrazov, Chairman Centre of Equal Opportunities
\n
\n Mehriban Vazir, Director, Center of Political Culture for Azerbaijani Women
\n
\n Malahat Murshudlu, Head of Independent Teachers Union
\n
\n Ilgar Huseynli, President, Social Strategic Studies and Analytically Investigations Center
\n
\n Alovsat Sadigly, Chairman of Education Research Center
\n
\n Aslan Ismayilov, famous lawyer
\n
\n Qulu Maharramli, famous journalist
\n
\n Rasul Jafarov, Chairman of Human Rights Club
\n
\n Zaur Akbar, Chairman, “Youth Club”
\n
\n Emin Huseynov, Chairman of Institute for Reporters\u2019 Freedom and Safety
\n
\n Rashid Hajili, Chairman of Media Rights Institute
\n
\n Annagi Hajibeyli, Chairman\u00a0of Azerbaijani Lawyers Association
\n
\n Mehman Aliyev, Director of \u201cTuran\u201d Information Agency<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Rise your voice in defense of the first and the last – Independent newspaper in Azerbaijan – Azadliq<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":11,"featured_media":4340,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_sitemap_exclude":false,"_sitemap_priority":"","_sitemap_frequency":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[56],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-162947","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-xeberler","infinite-scroll-item","generate-columns","tablet-grid-50","mobile-grid-100","grid-parent","grid-33","no-featured-image-padding"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nIn defense of the last independent newspaper - MEYDAN.TV<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.meydan.tv\/az\/article\/in-defense-of-the-last-independent-newspaper\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"az_AZ\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"In defense of the last independent newspaper - 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