BAKU (Armenpress)–The Institute of Peace and Democracy has prepared a report entitled–"Nine months in the Council of Europe," whereby it accuses Azerbaijani authorities of failing to meet their obligations towards this most respected human rights body in Europe.
The report draws attention to the issue of political prisoners in that country. According to the report–in March–2001 there were 262 political prisoners in Azerbaijan.
The report also reflects the present situation of the press in the country. It notes that 2001 was marked by an increased pressure on the freedom of speech–independent mass-media–coercion of reporters. Police brutality against reporters has become a routine occurrence. Currently five reporters are being kept in custody.