B Explanatory memorandum by Mr Andries
Gryffroy, rapporteur for opinionNote
1. I welcome the report prepared
by Mr Christophe Lacroix (Belgium, SOC) and support wholeheartedly
his conclusions and proposals.
2. The draft resolution included in Mr Lacroix’s report accurately
describes the situation in Azerbaijan as “a blatant and systemic
disregard for freedom of expression, as guaranteed by Article 10
of the European Convention on Human Rights”.
3. The whole media sector in Azerbaijan is captured by the State.
According to Reporters Without Borders, no independent television
or radio is transmitted from within the country, and all print newspapers
with a critical stance have been shut down. Most independent news
sites are based abroad and are targeted by state censorship.
Note
4. The Council of Europe’s
Platform to promote the
protection of journalism and safety of journalists registered 2 cases of impunity for murder of journalists,
and 36 journalists currently in detention,
Note including Ulvi Hasanli, editor-in-chief
of Abzas Media and runner-up for the 2025 Václav Havel Human Rights
Prize.
Note Furthermore, it lists two systemic
alerts: one on persisting concerns over the independence of İctimai Television
(İTV), Azerbaijan’s public broadcaster (with no reply so far from
the State),
Note and another one regarding the lack
of adequate protection under defamation and insult laws and practice.
Note
5. I join the draft resolution’s expression of regret that Azerbaijan
chose not to participate in the work of the Parliamentary Assembly
by failing to submit its delegation’s credentials for the years
2025 and 2026, instead of addressing the serious concerns expressed
in
Resolution 2527 (2024), and share the disbelief as to Azerbaijan’s willingness
to abide by its membership obligations.
6. As stressed by the draft resolution, the authorities of Azerbaijan
should not use their decision not to submit the credentials of its
parliamentary delegation to the Assembly as a pretext not to fully
abide by their obligations and commitments as a member State and
as a State Party to Council of Europe treaties.
7. Finally, I strongly support the draft resolution’s proposal
that the Secretary General of the Council of Europe make use of
the powers conferred upon him under Article 52 of the European Convention
on Human Rights, in order to obtain from the Azerbaijani authorities
explanations as to how their internal law ensures the effective
implementation of the Convention.
8. For these reasons, I invite the Committee on Culture, Science,
Education and Media to support Mr Lacroix’s report.
