Azerbaijan: English PEN hails release of editor Eynulla Fatullayev

English PEN welcomes the news that Azerbaijani editor Eynulla Fatullayev has been pardoned and released from prison.  Fatullayev, who has been imprisoned for almost four years, was released by the authorities ahead of Azerbaijan’s Independence Day on 28 May.  He is already at home and has spoken on the phone to campaigners and journalists, saying he is “optimistic” about the future.

Fatullayev had been imprisoned since 2007 on charges of defamation, terrorism, incitement of ethnic hatred, tax evasion and drug possession. However it is widely believed that these charges were fabricated and politically-motivated, and that he was being held solely for peacefully expressing critical views.  In 2010, the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg ruled that Fatullayev should be released, a call that was ignored by the Azerbaijani Government until today.

Since his imprisonment, English PEN has campaigned for Fatullayev’s release and for greater freedom of expression in Azerbaijan.  He was declared an Honorary Member of English PEN in 2008, and PEN members have relentlessly lobbied the Azerbaijani Government on his behalf.  In April 2009, authors Alev Adil and Eva Hoffman visited the country on behalf of English PEN’s Writers in Prison Committee, and met Fatullayev’s parents.

Alev Adil said:

Eynulla is a talented and energetic young journalist. He showed great courage and determination whilst in gaol. He owes his freedom in no small part to the relentless and passionate efforts of his family, friends and the many fellow writers in Azerbaijan who campaigned on his behalf against his unjust imprisonment. His release gives all those of us who care about freedom of expression a reason to be optimistic.

Gillian Slovo, President of English PEN, said:

This has been a long term international campaign.  We are proud to have worked side-by-side with ARTICLE 19, Index on Censorship, Amnesty International and the Media Diversity Institute.  This release is proof that if we keep up the pressure on governments with a poor human rights record, they can be persuaded to do the right thing.

Robert Sharp, Campaigns Manager at English PEN, said:

We are delighted by this release, but it must herald the start of fundamental improvements to the law in Azerbaijan.  The Government must guarantee everyone’s right to free speech, even if they express dissident views.  We are concerned that Azerbaijan’s proposed ‘cyber-crime’ laws could restrict debate, and we urge President Aliyev to rethink these proposals.  

Notes

- For more information, please contact Robert Sharp, Campaigns Manager, on 020 7324 2535 / 07790420011 or robert@englishpen.org

- Fatullayev is a former reporter for independent newspaper Monitor and founder and former editor-in-chief of two independent Azerbaijani newspapers, the Russian-language Realny Azerbaijan and the Azerbaijani-language Gündelik Azerbaycan.

- On 20 April, English PEN was part of a demonstration outside the Azerbaijani Embassy in Kensington London, protesting against Fatullayev’s imprisonment and demanding his immediate release. Video / Photos