LIVES OF JOURNALSITS ARE ENDANGERED
Support A1+!Journalists in Europe have to work under fear for their lives and physical safety, the PACE stated in the Resolution 1535 (2007) on “Threats to the lives and freedom of expression of journalists”. In 2006 and January 2007 there have been many cases of attacks on journalists.
The Parliamentary Assembly is deeply concerned by the numerous attacks and threats to the lives and freedom of expression of journalists in Europe in 2006 and January 2007. It strongly condemns the murders of Hrant Dink in Turkey and Anna Politkovskaya in Russia and the brutal attacks on journalists in Azerbaijan, Moldova, Ukraine, Iran, Serbia and Bulgaria. Armenia is not mentioned in the list. Nevertheless, according to the resolution, “Other attacks on journalists may have happened in Europe without having been noted by a wider public”.
During year 2006 there have been 14 cases of hindering the professional activity of the journalists in Armenia. According to Boris Navasardyan, President of the Yerevan Press Club, these cases testify to the fact that “Journalists are not protected, in these conditions when the authors of the attacks are not punished”.
In the resolution adopted yesterday the PACE call on police and law enforcement authorities in member states to react swiftly to threats against journalists linked to their work and develop specific strategies for the protection of journalists under serious threats, without hindering their work. With this resolution the PACE asked the Turkish Parliament to abolish Article 301 of the penal code on the “denigration of Tukishness”.
The resolution makes to suggestions as to Armenia. Nevertheless, the authors of the report on Armenia adopted recently call on Armenia to simplify article N318 of the Criminal Code.
