In a letter released today, Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights Dunya Mijatović called on Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev to return the recently adopted media law to parliament for revision. It is reported by Turan.

In her, the Commissioner expresses grave concern that the new law was adopted without broad and meaningful consultation.

It does not comply with international standards in the field of human rights, freedom of expression and freedom of the media.

The law over-regulates the media and the profession of journalism, which is contrary to the principles of free, independent, uncensored media and pluralism.

The adopted law further worsens the situation with freedom of expression and freedom of the media. It empowers public authorities to unduly restrict the work of journalists through licensing. It also provides an opportunity to impose restrictions on the financial, legal and operational activities of media companies and organizations, writes Mijatović, emphasizing the need to bring legislation into line with international and European standards for freedom of speech and freedom of the media.