American PEN Award Given to Khadija Ismayilova from Azerbaijan

The American PEN Association, known as PEN, awarded its annual press freedom prize to Khadija Ismayilova, a jailed Azerbaijani journalist and collaborator with the Azerbaijan section of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, on Thursday, April 15. This special award, titled 'Barbara Goldsmith Award for Freedom of Writing,' is given annually to writers imprisoned for defending freedom of expression. 'Ninad Pejic,' the editor-in-chief of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, welcomed the award, stating, 'This is a serious recognition of Khadija Ismayilova's professional activities and an emphasis on the injustice of her detention, which will contribute to efforts for her release from prison.' The New York Times reported on Wednesday that the American PEN Association, by awarding Khadija Ismayilova, has joined the increasing international efforts to criticize human rights violations and the suppression of freedom of expression in Azerbaijan. The Washington Post also, in its editorial on Wednesday, reminded readers of Ms. Ismayilova's detention and called for more attention to the situation, which it described as 'the intensification of the autocracy of the ruling government of Azerbaijan.' Additionally, a few days earlier, a letter signed by over 20 experts, university professors, NGO leaders, and former diplomats was published, expressing concern over the deteriorating human rights situation in Azerbaijan and requesting U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry to pressure the Baku government through various means, including sanctions, if political prisoners are not released. Khadija Ismayilova was arrested on December 5, 2014, on charges of 'inciting a former colleague to commit suicide.' During this time, the complainant (the prosecutor's office) has withdrawn this charge. In February, she was convicted of 'defamation' during a closed trial. In March, new charges including 'tax evasion, illegal economic activities, and abuse of office' were added to her case. Khadija Ismayilova has denied these charges, stating that the prosecution by the Azerbaijani judiciary against her has 'political motives.' Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty has also described these charges and crimes as 'baseless.' Khadija Ismayilova, who has also collaborated with the 'investigative journalism' project on organized crime and financial corruption, has prepared and published extensive investigative reports on the financial activities of the family members of 'Ilham Aliyev,' the President of Azerbaijan. Since 2012, Azerbaijani state media have continuously targeted her, and she has faced threats of physical abuse and detention. In February 2014, after Khadija Ismayilova met with U.S. Senate staff in Baku, state media accused her of spying for the U.S. The office of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty was attacked by Azerbaijani government agents on December 26, 2014, and was shut down. The Barbara Goldsmith Award will be presented on May 5 during the annual literary celebration of the American PEN Association in New York City.