Vienna. US Ambassador
to OSCE Ian Kelly in his response to Dunya Miyatovic, the special
representative on the Media problems statement called Azeri authorities to
cease imprisoning journalists.
"Azerbaijan has taken several
regrettable actions in this area during 2013, including jailing journalists
critical of the government; using excessive force against reporters covering a
January 12 public protest; and culminating in the recent adoption of
legislation criminalizing defamation over the Internet, prompting your joint
press release with the Council of Europe.
We are also dismayed at the recent renewal
of a smear campaign against journalist Khadija Ismayilova. We urge the government of Azerbaijan to abide
by its OSCE commitments, cease imprisoning journalists, thoroughly investigate
instances of violence against or intimidation of journalists related to their
work, and prosecute those responsible", - said he.