Int'l organizations hail pardon decree in Azerbaijan

The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Dunja Mijatović, welcomed today the pardoning of Facebook activist Jabbar Savalanli in Azerbaijan, the organization's website reported.

"I welcome President Ilham Aliyev's decision to pardon Savalanli, which I see as encouraging for freedom of expression in Azerbaijan," Mijatović said. "It is important that governments all over the OSCE region respect open public debate in line with their OSCE media freedom commitments," Mijatović said.

Amnesty international also welcomed pardoning of Jabbar Savalanli. "Obviously the release of a prisoner of conscience is always a cause for celebration. We are delighted for Jabbar and his family," the organization said in its statement.

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has recently signed a decree pardoning 92 people, including Jabbar Savalanli.


/Trend/