British MP calls critics of Azerbaijan hypocritical

"Those who criticize Azerbaijan must first talk about what is happening in their countries," Lord George Foulkes, a member of the British delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), said during a summer session of the organization today entitled "Freedom of the Press, Public Confidence and Citizens' Right to Know."

He strongly condemned PACE MPs for criticism of other countries without touching upon their problems. "I want to bring to the attention of those who criticize the freedom of the press in Turkey, Russia, and Azerbaijan. Let's look at what is happening in our countries and apply recommendations ourselves. We are all aware of the pressure on the press in our countries. Even the BBC is not far from these doubts. It is hypocritical to criticize other countries by turning a blind eye to what in their own country. "