‘Donkey Bloggers’ campaign gains strength with protests in Paris and London

Support has grown, and demands stronger following details of the ‘Donkey Bloggers’ case being distributed across numerous online networks, blogs and independent news sites.

Friends of Azerbaijan have seen an encourgaing show of solidarity and support by international bloggers keen to promote online freedom of speech for all.

The ‘Donkey Bloggers’, Adnan Hajizade and Emin Mili, are facing two year sentences for criticising the Azerbaijan government through their blogging activities. A video uploaded to youtube  shortly before the pair were arrested is widely believed to be a determining factor in their arrest. Watch the satirical donkey press conference video on youtube below.

Today, on the day set for the appeal hearing, protests were held in London and Paris calling for the release of Adnan and Emin and all other political prisoners in Azerbaijan

In Paris, Reporters Without Borders worked with Hadjizade’s fiancée, Parvana Persiani, to organise a protest outside the Azerbaijan Embassy. The protestors demanded the immediate and unconditional release of the bloggers, sending a message to the Azerbaijani government that it cannot continue to detain these two bloggers unjustly without further damage to the country’s international image.

Reporters Without Borders expressed its ‘exasperation at the slowness with which the judicial proceedings have been conducted from the outset. It is indicative of a refusal to allow serious examination of the charges brought against the two bloggers, as well as an attempt to intimidate all government critics.’ Full report from Paris

London, Friends of Azerbaijan led another demonstration demanding the release of the bloggers and broader calls for an improvement in free speech, and free media in the country. Following the bans put on several international news media sites in Azerbaijan last year, we are concerned for the deterioration of independent news broadcast provision in the country and little opportunity for opposition politics. The media and press agenda is saturated with state run broadcasts, allowing full control and a one-sided portrayal of events and little chance for an open discussion on topical debate. Adnan Hajizade and Emin Milli are just the latest example of active citizens trying to break free of this repressive system, to speak freely of their views for their country and it’s future, but find themselves victims of just those governments intimidation tactics they have been trying to fight.

Friends of Azerbaijan will continue to work with MPs, MEPs, national and international ngos and European Institutions to increase pressure on the Government of Azerbaijan to release these bloggers and improve their human rights record or face increasing detrimental affects on the country’s image across the world.

Sourced from Friends Of Azerbaijan