Lively discussions on the right to freedom of expression in the context of safety of journalists, gender equality and media, and how to promote the safety of journalists and gender equality in Azerbaijan took place during a recent roundtable in Baku.  The representative of the Presidential Administration, the head of Ombudsman’s Office, and the chair of Azerbaijani Press Council, who is a newly elected member of the Parliament attended the event and made opening speeches. The experts from the Ombudsman’s Office and the State Committee on Family, Women and Children Affairs as well as independent local experts and international experts made presentations on relevant topics and took an active part in discussions. The event included representatives of national authorities, media, universities, civil society and international organisations. About 40 journalists including 5 journalists from the regions attended the two-day event.

This two-day round table on Freedom of Expression: Safety of Journalists, Gender Equality and Media, took place in Baku, Azerbaijan on 17-18 December 2015 and took place in the framework of the joint EU/COE Project “Freedom of expression and media freedom”. The round table was organised in close cooperation with the Ombudsman Office, State Committee on Family, Women and Children Affairs and Azerbaijani Press Council.

The event was widely covered in local media:

http://contact.az/docs/2015/Politics/121700140598az.htm#.VnhKnbZ95dg

http://m.apa.az/az/news/408781  (photos of first day are available)

http://www.mia.az/w153875/%E2%80%9CAz%C9%99rbaycanda_ifad%C9%99_azadl%C4%B1%C4%9F%C4%B1_v%C9%99_media_azadl%C4%B1%C4%9F%C4%B1%E2%80%9D_-_%3Cfont_color=red%3E_Avropa_%C4%B0ttifaq%C4%B1_v%C9%99_Avropa_%C5%9Euras%C4%B1n%C4%B1n_birg%C9%99_layih%C9%99si/

http://kaspi.az/news.php?id=25961

http://525.az/site/?name=xeber&news_id=48105

http://m.baki-xeber.com/30868.html

http://publika.az/p/118810

http://az.apa.az/news/409020?keywords=V%C3%BCsal%C9%99+Mahirq%C4%B1z%C4%B1 (pictures and video of second day 2 are available)

http://publika.az/p/118810