OSCE approves Azerbaijani decision on oppositional mass medium

Yesterday, on July 17, the Baku OSCE office made a statement welcoming the use for the first time in Azerbaijan by the Yasamal District Court of the European case law in the case related to a mass medium.

The point is the decision of Shakhin Abdullaev, Judge of the Yasamal District Court, who refused to accept to proceedings a claim on bringing Ganimat Zakhid, editor of the "Azadlyg" newspaper, to criminal responsibility under Article 147.2 of the Criminal Code (slander). The claim was lodged by the head of the Imishlin Branch of the Azerbaijani Railway.

"We are completely encouraging this tendency. European court decisions are ensuring the proper balance between protection of one's personal reputation and support of the freedom of expression," runs the statement.

The EU will appoint a special representative in Azerbaijan who will deal with the issues of democracy and human rights.

Meanwhile, the leaders of Azerbaijan have addressed the European Union with a request to accelerate opening of the EU's representative office in Azerbaijan, Makhmud Mamedguliev, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, spoke about it in his conversation with the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.