Azerbaijan: Police Detain, Assault, and Threaten Reporters Nigar Mubariz and Nargiz Absalamova

CFWIJ condemns Azerbaijani authorities for attempting to restrict coverage of environmental protests

Location: Azerbaijan, Soyudlu
Date: June 22, 2023

Photo Credit: VOA

Nargiz Absalamova, a reporter with the independent news website Abzas Media, and Nigar Mubariz, a freelance journalist with the Azeri service of Voice of America, were physically assaulted and detained by police while covering environmental protests in Soyudlu. The Coalition For Women In Journalism has actively been monitoring the media landscape in Azerbaijan with great concern. Reporters operating within the country are confronted with oppressive circumstances, often compelled to toe the state's line to evade retaliation from the authorities. Those who refuse to succumb to pressure or blackmail find themselves behind bars, facing ludicrous charges. The Coalition for Women in Journalism strongly condemns this latest deplorable act and calls upon the Azerbaijani authorities to cease any attempts to stifle the free press. 

"Why is my freedom of movement restricted? Why is my arm squeezed? Why am I pushed? Why do they happen to an independent journalist?" says Abzas Media reporter Nargiz Absalamova, recalling the ordeal. The journalists were reporting on an environmental protest when police officers apprehended them. The law enforcement officers physically assaulted the journalists and confiscated their phones.

Police implemented access restrictions to Soyudlu starting June 22, following protests against a local goldmine on June 20 — the measures limited entry to residents and pro-government media outlets.

"We had to take an alternative route to enter the village since they denied us passage through the main road," says Nargiz Absalamova. “We were stopped there and informed that we had entered the village without permission. However, there was no legal basis for such barricades, and journalists should have been granted access."

When Mubariz asked the police to return her phone, a plainclothes individual forcefully covered her mouth with his hand while a police officer twisted her arm and pushed her against a wall. 

After an hour, police coerced the journalists into an unmarked vehicle and transported them to a nearby town, where they were released.

Mubariz says police accused her of collaborating with Armenians.

The media landscape in Azerbaijan lacks diverse voices and pluralistic representation. Independent media outlets often face difficulty operating freely and have limited resources to cover various topics. Its heavy-handed approach towards independent media includes direct censorship and repressive legislation to stifle dissenting opinions.

We express our unwavering support for Nigar Mubariz and Nargiz Absalamova and strongly denounce the egregious acts of violence they have endured. We call upon the Azerbaijani authorities to take immediate action to hold the responsible police officers accountable for their assault. Furthermore, we urge the authorities to uphold and enhance freedom of speech, setting higher standards to ensure its protection.

The Coalition For Women In Journalism is a global organization of support for women journalists. The CFWIJ pioneered mentorship for mid-career women journalists across several countries around the world and is the first organization to focus on the status of free press for women journalists. We thoroughly document cases of any form of abuse against women in any part of the globe. Our system of individuals and organizations brings together the experience and mentorship necessary to help female career journalists navigate the industry. Our goal is to help develop a strong mechanism where women journalists can work safely and thrive.

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