The relationship between Unesco and Azerbaijan was established long before my election in 2009. Azerbaijan, as a member of the UN and Unesco since 1992, has hosted many meetings and events, and funded and supported a range of projects in a transparent manner with the approval of the member states. I did not make the decision, as suggested by the Guardian (Report, 5 September), to organise an exhibition dedicated to this country: it was the member states who decided this. Unesco hosts throughout the year a large number of exhibitions, concerts and events all over the world. I believe Unesco’s mandate in the area of human rights has been strengthened during my tenure as director-general, particularly in the area of freedom of expression and the safety of journalists. The UN plan of action on the safety of journalists and the issue of impunity, now ratified by the UN as a whole, was one of my initiatives. Your article failed to mention my criticism of the imprisonment of two Azerbaijani journalists – Eynulla Fatullayev and Khadija Ismayilova – who received, with my support, the Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom prize, the highest Unesco distinction for journalists. I called for the release of Ms Ismayilova, and I hope my and Unesco’s actions played some small part in her release. I have worked assiduously to champion the issue of human rights and I will continue to defend the freedom of the press everywhere in the world.
Irina Bokova
Director-general, Unesco
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