Amendment No. 22 | Doc. 14229 | 23 January 2017
Attacks against journalists and media freedom in Europe
In the draft resolution, paragraph 2, replace the words:
"the release from detention of Khadija Ismayilova in Azerbaijan and that, as suggested in Opinion No. 715/2013 of the Venice Commission, the Italian parliament is debating a government bill aimed at abolishing detention for cases of defamation through the media"
with the following words:
"the fact that, as suggested in Opinion No. 715/2013 of the Venice Commission, the Italian parliament is debating a government bill aimed at abolishing detention for cases of defamation through the media. The Assembly also welcomes the release from detention of Khadija Ismayilova, but expresses concern with regard to the legal proceedings, travel bans and restrictions on freedom of movement imposed on her and on other journalists in Azerbaijan with the aim of preventing them from carrying out their independent work."
Explanatory note
Despite her release on probation in May 2016, investigative journalist Khadija Ismayilova still faces restrictions, as her rights are not fully restored. In Azerbaijan, arrests, attacks and intimidations against independent journalists and media workers are still a widespread method to silence those reporting about dissenting opinions and challenge the authorities.