Gevorg Papoyan presented Crossroads of Peace initiative to Deputy Foreign Minister of Korea We have a duty to help Armenia in the fight against the aggressor - Anne-Laurence Petel European Council's Political and Security Committee Members to visit Armenia Armenia government makes allocations to hold events for Parajanov, Aznavour 100th birth anniversaries Yerevan ex-mayor Hayk Marutyan is founding political party ‘Europeans for Artsakh’ discusses upcoming actions toward protecting Karabakh’s interests Consistent support to 16 Armenian Educational Institutions Operating in Lebanon Secretary Blinken and USAID Administrator Power will join a U.S.-EU trilateral meeting with Armenia Argentina’s Milei bans gender-inclusive language in official documents RA NA delegation meets with UAE delegation within the framework of 148th Assembly of Inter-Parliamentary Union 

Azerbaijan criminalizes free speech online ahead of elections

Azerbaijan

The Azerbaijani authorities must not use the upcoming presidential election as a pretext to silence critical voices and meaningful debate, Amnesty International said following a move to extend criminal defamation laws to the internet.

On 14 May, the Azerbaijani Parliament approved an amendment to the country’s defamation law to impose hefty fines and prison sentences for anyone convicted of online slander or insults. The new legislation constitutes a further attack of freedom of expression in Azerbaijan.

According to the state news agency APA, those found guilty of slander face a fine of up to 500 Azeri manat (US$637), corrective labour of up to one year or jail time of up to six months. The punishment for an online “insult” is even harsher – fines of up to 1,000 Azeri manat, one year of corrective labour or imprisonment of up to six months.

This is just the latest in ever-more restrictive measures – including actions to muzzle mainstream media outlets and the introduction of harsher punishment for peaceful protesters – ahead of October’s election.

“The Azerbaijani authorities’ fear of critical voices has already led them to attempt to keep peaceful protesters off the streets and to muzzle the mainstream media. This new law aims to shut down one of the few last resorts of legitimate protest – the internet,” said David Diaz-Jogeix, Deputy Director of Amnesty International’s Europe and Central Asia Programme.

“It’s clear from the timing of these ever-more restrictive measures that the authorities want to prevent any critical voices or meaningful political debate from taking place ahead of October’s election.”

Even before the recent defamation laws, criticism of the President’s family has often provoked a swift and harsh response from the authorities. In March 2012 two musicians were arrested and tortured after they insulted the President’s late mother during a public performance.

Հետևե՛ք -ին Youtube-ում`
Gevorg Papoyan presented Crossroads of Peace initiative to Deputy Foreign Minister of KoreaUS provides Maryland $60 million to start rebuilding collapsed Baltimore bridgeApple will present new iPad Pro and iPad Air tablets in early May: What changes will they have?Selling Sunset TV series’ star chooses strange, revealing outfit for playing golfOil Prices UpWe have a duty to help Armenia in the fight against the aggressor - Anne-Laurence PetelEuropean Council's Political and Security Committee Members to visit ArmeniaAbu Dhabi plans to create paradise for gamers: World's first eSports islandNature Neurology: Chemicals in baby wipes can damage brain structures, study showsArmenia government makes allocations to hold events for Parajanov, Aznavour 100th birth anniversariesArmenia to provide $300,000 to Japan for earthquake reliefArmenia MP: Euronest called on EU to increase humanitarian, financial aid for forcibly displaced Karabakh childrenQatar Airways has introduced first virtual flight attendant operating in AIYerevan ex-mayor Hayk Marutyan is founding political party‘Europeans for Artsakh’ discusses upcoming actions toward protecting Karabakh’s interestsKim Kardashian is sued over furnitureForeign firms' losses from exiting Russia top $107 billion: ReutersConsistent support to 16 Armenian Educational Institutions Operating in LebanonPutin says Russia will not attack NATO countries, but F-16s will be legitimate targets “wherever they might be located”Pashinyan: Some circles forcibly displaced from Karabakh are taking steps that create threat to Armenia’s securityState Department disagrees with Azerbaijan comments on upcoming US-EU-Armenia meetingNo official versions of Crocus City Hall terror attack voiced yet, PeskovNewspaper: Generals are gone, Armenia PM has decided to hand over some Tavush Province settlements to AzerbaijanDeath toll from Crocus City Hall attack reaches 143Secretary Blinken and USAID Administrator Power will join a U.S.-EU trilateral meeting with ArmeniaVolvo launches its last diesel carRevisit the Tom Hanks Oscars acceptance speech that Spielberg called ‘incredible’CONCACAF Nations League final between US men’s team and Mexico stopped twice by ‘discriminatory chanting’Argentina’s Milei bans gender-inclusive language in official documentsLukashenko undermines Putin’s Ukraine claim on Moscow concert hall attackSteven Spielberg: ‘The echoes of history are unmistakable in our current climate’Russia MFA spox: We do not use the term ‘Zangezur corridor’Armenia does not join CSTO statement condemning terrorist attack in Moscow RegionWhich Samsung smartphones will receive AI functions tomorrow?Deputy Speaker Hakob Arshakyan discusses Yerevan-New Delhi direct flights with Indian counterpartCentral Bank of Armenia: exchange rates and prices of precious metalsRA NA delegation meets with UAE delegation within the framework of 148th Assembly of Inter-Parliamentary UnionUS and South Korea want to block oil supplies to North KoreaCharity dinner: “Successful Businesswomen Support Novice Women Entrepreneurs”Parliament speaker: No part of Armenia territory is subject to negotiationFrance-Armenia friendship group of National Assembly of France visited Armenian Genocide MemorialAraratBank places its 27th issue of dollar bondsUcom launches network modernization efforts in a few regions of ArmeniaEU and US will share responsibility for any destabilizing action: HajizadaNumber of those injured in Moscow attack rises to 360US State Department warned Israel of international isolation if it launches a large-scale operation in RafahStart of dialogue on visa liberalization between Armenia and EU will be important step for deepening relations: Friends of Armenia Network reportWashington's goal is to help Armenia and Azerbaijan achieve lasting peace. MillerPalestinian death toll from Israeli attacks in Gaza climbs to 32,414: ministryEU mission presented situation in Gegharkunik to French delegation
Most Popular