Ali Hasanov: "Changes to the Constitution of Azerbaijan are not intended to restrict freedom of speech"

Changes to the Constitution of Azerbaijan, envisioning prohibition to hold video, photo and audio recording if not desired by a person, who is being captured, are not intended to restrict freedom of speech and receipt of information, said chief of the public policy department of the Azerbaijani presidential administration Ali Hasanov, according to Novosti-Azerbaijan.

"If we refer to paragraph 10 of the regulation of the rights and duties of media of the CE Convention of Human Rights, it contains a regulation similar to it. We are all interested in ensuring the immunity of the private life of the citizens", he told on Monday.

He said this regulation refers not only to media representatives.

"The due paragraph of the Convention fixes different methods of receiving information, including recording telephone calls. As is known, these forms of getting information are regularly used by journalists', noted he.

According to Hasanov, "Azerbaijani publishes wishes the strict observance of the regulation about the immunity of the private life and non-interference with the personal life of citizens".

"Another matter is that along with the paragraph that each person can be criticized, he also has a right for getting reproval. It means that if false information, which can seriously influence his public or political influence and affect his family relations, is spread about someone, naturally, this person has a right for getting a rebuttal", said Hasanov.

He noted that the due amendments to the Constitution of Azerbaijan are not intended for limiting freedom of speech in the country but will promote further successful development of serious journalism.