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THOMAS HAMMARBERG: MY VISIT TO AZERBAIJAN AIMS TO MAKE A TOTAL ASSESSMENT ON HUMAN RIGHTS
Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
Aug 30 2007
Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights Thomas Hammarberg's
interview to APA's Europe bureau on the eve of his visit to Azerbaijan
- Who brought up the idea of visiting Azerbaijan?
- It is my own initiative, but we do not intend to part your country
from other member states. Actually such systematic and regular visits
are paid to all Council of Europe member states, and this visit is
a part of that plan. I try to be at regions, cities to see all the
reality. And I will be in other cities besides Baku. I will do my
best to visit hospitals, schools and prisons in the regions.
- What does your visit aim? Which spheres will you mostly focus on?
- My visit aims to make whole assessment of state of human rights in
Azerbaijan. I want to analyze state of human rights in all spheres.
Certainly, we will focus on some issues, such as freedom of expression,
activity of justice system, situation in prisons, IDPs and refugees'
problems. Actually there is not a country where human rights are not
violated. There are different problems in different countries. Our aim
is to define these differences. Moreover, we will attach importance
to the freedom of speech. We would like to know how journalists
are treated in Azerbaijan and how the term "freedom of expression"
is taken?
- After Armenia occupied Azerbaijani territories rights of more than 1
million Azerbaijanis were violated. What's your opinion concerning this
issue as Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights? What measures
might be taken within the framework of COE to protect IDPs' rights?
- As to the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, as Commissioner our goal
is not to find a political solution option. We focus on the rights
of individuals who became displaced as the result of the Karabakh
conflict and will try to achieve respect towards their rights. The
aim of this visit is not just to analyze the conflict. Simply, we
would be very pleased if we were informed about this problem during
our meetings. This would help us to get clear idea of the problem.
- Migrants from Europe, including those migrated from Azerbaijan come
across regular violation of their rights. Moreover, some countries
have made their migration laws more severe which led to migrants
facing serious problems. Are you informed about this? What steps are
you going to take regarding this matter?
- We have a lot of information regarding immigration. We are working
together with corresponding department of the UN, High Commissioner
for Refugees in France and some other related structures in this
direction. We have found out not only problems related to the right
to seek asylum but also some other problems in a number of European
countries. For instance, immigrants, those lacking proper documents
face a different approach in a European country.
- The law on repatriation of Ahiska Turks passed by Georgia parliament
contains items that somehow restrict their rights. For instance, the
law says Ahiska Turks should be repatriated not to their original
places but other parts of Georgia. It also says those willing to
return to Georgia are to do this by January, 2009, otherwise, they
will not be allowed. So, it is restricted to certain period of time...
- I am closely following this issue, and I have raised this at Georgian
government. We had certain part in adoption of a law on repatriation
of Ahuska Turks at Georgian parliament. Regrettably, this law is not
so ideal, however, I think the bill will serve repatriation of Ahiska
Turks to their native places.
- Are you planning to visit Armenia?
- I am not planning to visit Armenia this time but it is in my future
plans.
Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
Aug 30 2007
Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights Thomas Hammarberg's
interview to APA's Europe bureau on the eve of his visit to Azerbaijan
- Who brought up the idea of visiting Azerbaijan?
- It is my own initiative, but we do not intend to part your country
from other member states. Actually such systematic and regular visits
are paid to all Council of Europe member states, and this visit is
a part of that plan. I try to be at regions, cities to see all the
reality. And I will be in other cities besides Baku. I will do my
best to visit hospitals, schools and prisons in the regions.
- What does your visit aim? Which spheres will you mostly focus on?
- My visit aims to make whole assessment of state of human rights in
Azerbaijan. I want to analyze state of human rights in all spheres.
Certainly, we will focus on some issues, such as freedom of expression,
activity of justice system, situation in prisons, IDPs and refugees'
problems. Actually there is not a country where human rights are not
violated. There are different problems in different countries. Our aim
is to define these differences. Moreover, we will attach importance
to the freedom of speech. We would like to know how journalists
are treated in Azerbaijan and how the term "freedom of expression"
is taken?
- After Armenia occupied Azerbaijani territories rights of more than 1
million Azerbaijanis were violated. What's your opinion concerning this
issue as Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights? What measures
might be taken within the framework of COE to protect IDPs' rights?
- As to the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, as Commissioner our goal
is not to find a political solution option. We focus on the rights
of individuals who became displaced as the result of the Karabakh
conflict and will try to achieve respect towards their rights. The
aim of this visit is not just to analyze the conflict. Simply, we
would be very pleased if we were informed about this problem during
our meetings. This would help us to get clear idea of the problem.
- Migrants from Europe, including those migrated from Azerbaijan come
across regular violation of their rights. Moreover, some countries
have made their migration laws more severe which led to migrants
facing serious problems. Are you informed about this? What steps are
you going to take regarding this matter?
- We have a lot of information regarding immigration. We are working
together with corresponding department of the UN, High Commissioner
for Refugees in France and some other related structures in this
direction. We have found out not only problems related to the right
to seek asylum but also some other problems in a number of European
countries. For instance, immigrants, those lacking proper documents
face a different approach in a European country.
- The law on repatriation of Ahiska Turks passed by Georgia parliament
contains items that somehow restrict their rights. For instance, the
law says Ahiska Turks should be repatriated not to their original
places but other parts of Georgia. It also says those willing to
return to Georgia are to do this by January, 2009, otherwise, they
will not be allowed. So, it is restricted to certain period of time...
- I am closely following this issue, and I have raised this at Georgian
government. We had certain part in adoption of a law on repatriation
of Ahuska Turks at Georgian parliament. Regrettably, this law is not
so ideal, however, I think the bill will serve repatriation of Ahiska
Turks to their native places.
- Are you planning to visit Armenia?
- I am not planning to visit Armenia this time but it is in my future
plans.