The Association for International Broadcasting today condemned the detention of Baku-based staff of RFE/RL and a raid on the broadcaster’s bureau in the Azerbaijani capital.
Police detain RFE/RL staff in Baku, Azerbaijan
The raid on RFE/RL’s bureau took place on 26 December, seizing documents, computers, memory sticks and other items. The office was then sealed, preventing staff from accessing the bureau. The following day the first of a series of raids on homes of RFE/RL employees in Baku began, with a number of staff – including the bureau’s cleaner – detained. No charges have been brought against any of the RFE/RL staff.
“It appears that Azerbaijan is continuing a comprehensive campaign against the freedom of expression and the press,” said Simon Spanswick, chief executive of AIB. “This latest act follows the detention in February and most recently in December of Azerbaijani journalist Khadija Ismayilova, who contributes to RFE/RL and other media outlets. The raid on RFE/RL’s bureau in Baku and the detention of many of the station’s staff – including the office cleaner – shows a total disregard for media freedom in the country. AIB calls on the authorities to cease this campaign of intimidation and allow free reporting in Azerbaijan.”
The raids and detention of RFE/RL staff comes as the broadcaster is under investigation as a “foreign-funded entity”. The offices of a range of non-governmental organisations including the International Research and Exchanges Board (IREX), the Institute for Reporters’ Freedom and Safety (IRFS) and the Media Rights Institute were raided and sealed in August 2014.
International radio stations – including the BBC, Radio Azadliq (the Azeri-language service of RFE/RL), and Voice of America – were taken off the air in Azerbaijan in 2008. International stations have broadcast on satellite or via the Internet since then.
The raids come soon after Azerbaijan’s six-month presidency of the Council of Europe ended in November. The Council of Europe is an international organisation promoting co-operation between all countries of Europe in the areas of legal standards, human rights, democratic development, the rule of law and cultural co-operation.
“Azerbaijan has sought to position itself as an important player both regionally and in the global arena,” commented Spanswick. “These latest moves are against international broadcasters and non-governmental organisations that are seeking to assist in the development of Azerbaijan. The raids demonstrate that the country is retreating from the international stage, rather than taking its place on it. It is time to once again move forward. The country can demonstrate this through ceasing the harassment of journalists and NGOs. Instead, the country should uphold the ideals of the Council of Europe.”
AIB will be raising the matter with the Azerbaijan Ambassador in London and with the authorities in Baku.