14/06/2012 – Baku: Local civil society groups in Azerbaijan have condemned proposed amendments to draft laws on freedom of information. 

In a statement, a number of local civil society members stated: ‘As representatives of Azerbaijani civil society, we consider the draft amendments entailing restrictive provisions to the law “on access to information”, which shall legally conceal information on founders and owners of legal entities, as a serious threat to the freedoms of expression and information in Azerbaijan. We express our grave concerns regarding the capacity of these laws to foster an environment conducive to the growth of corruption, and a widening of the gap between the public and the ruling elite….’

To read the statement in full click here.

The statement is signed by the following individuals:
1. Emin Huseynov, IRFS
2. Rovshen Hajibeyli, Azadlig newspaper
3. Mehman Aliyev, Turan information agency
4. Alasgar Mammadli, IREX
5. Rashid Hajili, Media Rights Institute
6. Azer Mehtiyev, SupporttoEconomic Initiatives Public Union
7. Zohrab Ismayil, Support to Free Economy Public Union
8. Seymur Kazimov, journalist
9. Mammadov Hilal, editor-in-chief of TolishiSado newspaper