Brussels, 07/06/2013 (Agence Europe) - On 6 June, High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton and Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy Stefan Füle spoke of their concern at the new restrictions to freedom to expression in Azerbaijan. They underlined their disappointment at learning of the final approval of the criminal code which will establish punitive measures against slander and insult on the internet. They called on the authorities to create “an open space for a pluralistic debate” and to engage with the international community in order to respect its “voluntarily agreed” international commitments, saying that the EU is ready to help.
“2013 is an important election year for Azerbaijan, a country which has committed to improve the general environment for democratic elections”, Ashton and Füle stated. “One of the preconditions for creating an open platform for democratic competition is freedom of expression in all forms of public media”, they said.
“The EU has repeatedly expressed its strong conviction that criminal defamation laws are counterproductive”, they said, underlining that “civil remedies allow justice to be pursued effectively and transparently in cases of alleged slander or insult”. Such an approach is also in line with good practice and international standards, Ashton and Füle added.
The previous day, during a meeting with the leader of the Azeri parliament, Sabir Asadov, Füle had spoken of his concern, underlining that freedom of expression - especially on the internet - must be improved and not limited. He had reiterated that the presidential elections in October will be “an important test for the country's democratic development” and that “safeguarding the space for a pluralistic exchange of opinions is essential”. (CG/transl.fl)