The co-rapporteurs of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) on monitoring Azerbaijan during their visit to Baku met with representatives of independent media resources and human rights activists. Participants pointed to restrictions on freedom of the press and information.

In particular, it was noted that the new law adopted by the government of Azerbaijan obliges the media to enter the state register, but strict conditions have been put forward for this. More than 40 media have already been denied inclusion in the register. They also pointed to the blocking of the websites of a number of publications, the refusal to investigate crimes against journalists, the limited advertising market and access to it only by state and pro-government media, and the persecution of objectionable journalists in criminal and administrative cases.

During the meeting, the situation in Azerbaijan with human rights, freedom of speech and assembly was considered. We discussed the issue of political prisoners.