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BAKU: Central Asia Remains Area of Concern on Press Freedom

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  • BAKU: Central Asia Remains Area of Concern on Press Freedom

    Central Asia Remains Area of Concern on Press Freedom

    Central Asian and Southern Caucasus Freedom of Expression Network
    (CASCFEN), Azerbaijan
    May 2 2005

    CASCFEN, Baku, 02.05.2005 -- "Central Asia remains as an area of
    concern for world press freedom as the 3 May World Press Freedom
    Day approaches."

    This is a passage from CASCFEN chairman's statement issued for 3 May
    World Press Freedom Day.

    Azer H.Hasret, a chairman of the Central Asian and Southern Caucasian
    Freedom of Expression Network (CASCFEN), an organization uniting
    press freedom associations throughout the region once more raised an
    issue of press freedom on the eve of 3 May. He called on governments
    of the region and international community to take necessary measures
    to ensure freedom of the press and expression.

    CASCFEN chairman said that some governments of the region still use
    illegal means to restrict freedom of the press while some others
    close their countries borders to prevent entering of foreign press.

    "Turkmenistan remains as a country close to all types of dissent with
    its president Saparmurat Niyazov who declared himself as a Turkmenbashi
    - head of the all Turkmens. This country has no signs of independent
    or opposition press. All media outlets are strictly controlled by
    Turkmenbashi's close associates and no foreign newspapers are allowed
    to be brought in", states Azer H.Hasret.

    Further he stresses out that the next two countries - Tajikistan and
    Uzbekistan also fail to follow international norms to create necessary
    environment for free and fair press. "These countries' governments are
    far from modern understanding of human rights including basic one -
    freedom of the press", said Hasret.

    In regard to other Central Asian states - Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan -
    Hasret stated that the people of these countries can enjoy freedom of
    the press partly but they also are far to be counted free countries:
    "Governments of both countries use illegal means to block access
    to information, journalists and media are frequently targeted by
    authorities. Kazakhstan experiences blockade of "hostile" web sites
    as does Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan".

    According to Hasret situation in three South Caucasus countries
    which are part to the network is better than in Central Asia but far
    from ideal.

    "Georgia achieved comparatively portion of press freedom after "rose
    revolution" but situation needs to do more for real freedom in this
    field", stressed out CASCFEN chairman.

    Regarding Azerbaijan and Armenia, two conflicting neighbor countries
    over Nagorno Karabakh, Hasret said that attacks on journalists,
    self-censorship and targeting media outlets is widely used in both
    parts which creates environment of fair for free press. "We'd remind
    that for the first time in Azerbaijan journalist was ordered to be
    killed and his murderers still not found. We hope that the government
    of this country will find the murderers of Elmar Huseynov, prominent
    outspoken journalist who was killed on March 2, 2005".

    "It is duty and obligation of governments to provide freedom of the
    press in full and ensure safety of journalists to experience their
    profession", said Azer H.Hasret.
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