The Council of Europe jointly with the Azerbaijan Council of Press holds a conference on the topic of “Freedom of expression and defamation in Azerbaijan”. Accoding to the information by APA, representative of the CE’s Secretary General to Azerbaijan Veronica Kotek told about problems with the freedom of expression and speech in Azerbaijan and pointed out the impossibility of democracy without freedom of expression.

She underlined that, there are some problems still outstanding in this field in Azerbaijan: “There are four urgent steps to be taken in order to rewiev the current situation: state functionaries should not raise a criminal case for journalists, journalist should observe ethical norms when working, the power of court should apply European standards, legislators should precipitate adoption of the bill regarding defamation. After fulfilling this, Azerbaijan can be considered fit for Europe.

The chairperson of the Council of Press Aflatun Amashov, talked about general principals of defamation. Journalists are not involved in civic responsibility because of defamation; “officials are not ready for the adoption of this bill, because more than 20% of them support the idea of liquidation of functions of some mass media outlets.” The chairperson underlined that, 75 percent of the complaints received were by state officials. “Azerbaijanian officials remember problemls between mass media and them when menthioning journalism.”

Aflatun Amashov said that, he was not convinced that, the bill about defamation would be included in the agenda of the Natioal Assembly. He has even offered to announce 2010 as a year of defamation.

The director of sector in socio-political department in the Presedential Administration Vugar Aliyev pointed out that, lately conforming activities had been run for the assurance of the freedom of speech, the freedom of expression: “4 thousand mass media have been registered and hundreds of journals, newspapers, information agency are in function. Azerbaijan government has never been against the bill about defamation.And I hope that, an environment in the sphere of the mass media will be provided which will help to adopt the bill”

At the end of the conference, the Azerbaiajani government is expected to receive recommendations.