Azerbaijan criminalizes free speech online ahead of elections

Headline Title:  Azerbaijan criminalizes free speech online ahead of elections 15 May 2013 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…

© Amnestie Internationale - mercredi 15 mai 2013